Nyeri-Mweiga Road Tragedy: Death Toll Rises to 16 as Nation Mourns Matatu Crash Victims
A dark cloud has descended over Nyeri County following a horrific road accident on Saturday evening, March 28, 2026, which has now claimed 16 lives. The accident, occurring near the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology along the Nyeri-Mweiga highway, involved a head-on collision between a 14-seater matatu belonging to Nyekicha Sacco and a lorry ferrying firewood. While 15 victims were confirmed dead on the spot, a sixteenth person succumbed to their injuries on Sunday while undergoing treatment, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the region this year.
The catastrophe unfolded in a split second when the driver of the lorry, which was headed toward Nyeri town, reportedly swerved to avoid hitting cyclists (some reports also mention a boda boda) in his lane. In the process of the evasive maneuver, the driver lost control of the heavy vehicle, veering into the lane of the oncoming matatu that was traveling toward Mweiga. The resulting impact was devastating; the matatu was reduced to a mangled wreck, trapping passengers inside and leaving a trail of debris and logs scattered across the highway.
On Sunday morning, the Nyeri County Referral Hospital mortuary became a scene of unimaginable pain as families gathered to identify their kin. Central Regional Traffic Commandant Elizabeth Vivi confirmed that while 10 bodies have been positively identified, 6 victims remain unidentified. Among the deceased are ten men, five women, and a young child. Only four people—three adults and one child—are reported to have survived the initial impact, and they remain in critical condition as doctors fight to save their lives.
The tragedy has drawn reactions from the highest levels of government. President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki have both sent messages of condolence, promising that the national and county governments will support the affected families during this difficult period. Meanwhile, Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has directed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to launch a multi-agency investigation. The CS warned of “firm, decisive action” against any safety violations, noting that preliminary findings suggest a combination of speeding and potential unroadworthiness of the lorry may have contributed to the crash.
As Nyeri residents come to terms with the loss, this accident serves as a grim reminder of the fragility of life on Kenyan highways. The stretch of road near Dedan Kimathi University has long been cited by locals as a high-risk zone due to its narrow layout and heavy pedestrian and cyclist traffic. Authorities are now under renewed pressure to implement stricter enforcement and infrastructure improvements to prevent such a “senseless loss of life” from recurring.