TANDAO MEDIA.

Five people died on Christmas morning following a head-on collision between a Toyota Probox and a trailer along the Kericho-Nakuru highway near Kedowa Trading Centre in Kericho County.The accident occurred at approximately 5 a.m. on Thursday, December 25. According to Kericho County Police Commander James Nyatich, the Probox, which was carrying six passengers believed to be young men, collided with a Mercedes-Benz Actros truck heading toward Nakuru.

All five victims died at the scene, while two others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Kericho County Hospital for treatment.Preliminary investigations suggest that the Probox may have been speeding at the time of the crash. Authorities are still working to determine the exact cause of the accident. Police believe the victims were likely members of the same family returning from a holiday celebration.This latest tragedy adds to a growing number of road fatalities reported during the festive season. According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), 36 people have died in road accidents within a 72-hour period leading up to Christmas.

A report released on December 24 indicated that 31 people had already lost their lives on Tuesday and Wednesday, including eight passengers in a separate crash in Lugari along the Eldoret-Webuye highway.NTSA noted that the majority of recent fatalities involved pedestrians and passengers, followed by motorcyclists and pillion riders. The agency attributed the spike in accidents to increased travel during the holiday season, as many Kenyans journey to their rural homes to celebrate with family.In response, NTSA reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing road safety.

Since December 20, the authority has recorded 1,702 traffic violations involving commercial, public service, and private vehicles. Forty-two drivers have been arrested, and several vehicles have been flagged for non-compliance.

Authorities continue to urge motorists to exercise caution, adhere to speed limits, avoid driving under the influence, and maintain lane discipline to prevent further loss of life during the festive period.