A horrific road accident on Thursday night claimed the lives of 12 people after a lorry collided with a 14-seater matatu along the Njoro-Elburgon Road in Nakuru County.

The fatal crash occurred at around 8 p.m. in Arimi area when the lorry reportedly lost control and rammed into the matatu, killing nearly all the passengers on board instantly. Emergency responders from the Nakuru County Disaster Management Unit and local traffic police rushed to the scene to extract bodies and rescue survivors.

“We lost twelve lives on the spot. It’s a devastating scene,” confirmed Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara, adding that one person survived with critical injuries and is receiving treatment.

Heart-wrenching footage from the scene showed the matatu mangled beyond recognition — its windscreen shattered, seats ripped apart and windows smashed. The lorry, which bore the brunt of the impact on its front end, lay tipped across the road, halting traffic and drawing a crowd of stunned residents.

The bodies of the deceased have been moved to the Molo Sub-County Hospital mortuary as authorities work to identify the victims and inform their families. Police have launched investigations into the exact cause of the accident.

Thursday’s tragedy adds to a growing list of road accidents across the country this week. Just a day earlier, chaos unfolded in Githurai 45, Nairobi, after a matatu headed to Thika veered off and struck pedestrians. Kasarani Sub-County Police Commander Emmanuel Rono confirmed that three individuals sustained serious injuries while nine others were treated for minor wounds.