A video has shown the tragic and painful rescue efforts at the scene of a horrific accident at Kikopey along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway.
In the video, which has since gone viral on social media, young men are seen frantically trying to crack open the body of a badly mangled matatu belonging to 3N-TO-SACCO, which commonly plies the busy route.
As shocked bystanders watch in dismay, the group battles to dismantle the wreckage of the matatu, which still has passengers trapped inside.
At the front end, more victims appear pinned by the crushed metal, a stark reminder of the violent impact of the crash.
The rescuers are seen using mallets and other improvised tools, striking the twisted body of the vehicle in a desperate attempt to reach those inside.
A serious road traffic accident occurred along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway near Kikopey, Gilgil, involving a matatu (passenger 14-seater) and a heavy trailer. Several feared dead as trailer lost control and rammed into the matatu. pic.twitter.com/oqLQp7XFSv — Mike Sonko (@MikeSonko) January 19, 2026
At one point in the video, voices can be heard calling for reinforcement from members of the public standing nearby, as the scale of the tragedy becomes apparent.
The horrific accident unfolded Monday afternoon when a heavy commercial truck reportedly lost control while heading towards Nakuru.
Police say the truck veered off its lane, crossed the highway’s centre line and rammed into oncoming vehicles, including two matatus travelling towards Nairobi.
According to Gilgil Sub-County Police Commander Wilstone Mwakio, five people died on the spot due to the severity of the impact.
“The trailer heading to Nakuru veered off its lane and hit two matatus heading towards Gilgil. It then collided with a third matatu and dragged it off the highway into a ditch," said Mwakio.
Two others later succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment at St Mary’s Hospital in Gilgil, bringing the total death toll to seven.
At least 11 passengers sustained injuries, with several reported to be in critical condition.
Victims were rushed to various health facilities in Gilgil and Nakuru by ambulances and private vehicles, as Good Samaritans assisted in the evacuation.
The accident caused a massive traffic snarl-up along the busy highway, with motorists stranded for hours as rescue and recovery operations continued.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as horrifying.
One survivor recounted how the matatu was moving normally before the crash occurred.
“There was a loud bang, then everything went dark. People were screaming and crying for help,” the survivor told a local publication.
The Kikopey–Kariandusi stretch of the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway has long been considered a black spot, with numerous fatal accidents recorded over the years.
Residents and road users have repeatedly raised concerns over speeding, reckless overtaking by heavy commercial vehicles and the narrow nature of the highway.
Following the incident, police launched investigations to establish the exact cause of the crash, even as renewed calls were made for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and improved road safety measures.
