By:Robert Mutasi
Three people were killed instantly while two others sustained serious injuries following a collision between a motorcycle and a seven-seater public service vehicle at Ekati along the Machakos–Mutituni road on Tuesday morning.
The accident occurred after a boda boda carrying five passengers collided head-on with a Suzuki matatu, commonly known as a Maruti, that was travelling from Mutituni Market towards Machakos Town.
Confirming the incident, Kasinga Assistant Chief Fredrick Kitonga said the motorcycle was dangerously overloaded at the time of the crash.
“The boda boda, which was carrying five people, was heading towards Machakos Town while the matatu was coming from Mutituni Market. Three people died on the spot,” Kitonga said.
The two survivors were rushed to Machakos Level Five Hospital, where they are receiving treatment. Their condition had not been disclosed by the time of publication.
The impact of the collision left the Suzuki van extensively damaged, with its front section crushed and the windscreen shattered. The motorcycle was trapped beneath the vehicle, while personal belongings, including footwear and clothing, were strewn across the road. Police officers from the Machakos Traffic Base secured the scene and cleared the wreckage.
Mumbuni Ward Administrator Joseph Musyoki blamed the rising number of boda boda accidents in the county on overloading and reckless riding, urging operators to comply with traffic regulations.
“Carrying five people on one motorcycle is illegal and extremely dangerous. We appeal to boda boda riders to observe traffic rules and prioritise the safety of their passengers,” Musyoki said.
A resident who witnessed the crash, Francis Musyioki, called on the government to install speed bumps and warning signs along the stretch, describing it as a road prone to frequent accidents.
The latest tragedy adds to the growing number of fatal road accidents reported in Machakos County, many of which have involved motorcycles. Road safety stakeholders have repeatedly raised concern over reckless riding, overloading and failure to observe traffic regulations among some boda boda operators.
Police have launched investigations to establish the exact cause of the accident as they continue to urge motorists and motorcycle riders to exercise caution and adhere to road safety rules.
The bodies of the deceased were moved to the Machakos County Referral Hospital Mortuary pending identification and post-mortem examinations.
