A fatal road accident along the busy Nakuru-Nairobi highway has claimed the life of a senior police officer following a horrific multi-vehicle collision in the Karai area. The accident, which occurred on Monday at approximately 4:50 PM during the evening rush hour, involved a total of nine vehicles, leaving a trail of destruction and several injured victims.
The deceased, Nyandarua County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO), Senior Superintendent of Police John Rioba, sustained fatal injuries after his vehicle was caught up in the crash. He was driving an Isuzu D-Max at the time of the incident. According to officers from Naivasha Police Station, the accident was triggered by a lorry traveling towards Nakuru. The driver reportedly lost control of the truck and collided with a Toyota Land Cruiser carrying two European nationals.
The force of the impact caused the lorry to veer off its lane into oncoming traffic, where it rammed into seven additional vehicles traveling in the opposite direction, worsening the scale of the crash. Rioba was rushed to Naivasha Sub-County Hospital for emergency treatment but was pronounced dead upon arrival.
In the aftermath of the crash, a civilian recovered the officer’s loaded Ceska pistol from the wreckage and responsibly handed it over to a nearby police officer, preventing any potential misuse. Among those injured is Regina Chumba, a Member of the County Assembly (MCA) for Uasin Gishu, who is currently receiving treatment for chest-related injuries. Meanwhile, the two foreign nationals involved in the initial collision sustained minor injuries.
All nine vehicles involved in the accident were extensively damaged and have since been towed to Naivasha Police Station for further inspection. Police have launched a manhunt for the lorry driver, who fled the scene immediately after the incident. Authorities are urging anyone with information that could assist in locating the suspect to come forward. The tragic incident once again highlights the dangers on Kenyan highways, especially during peak traffic hours.
