Five passengers last night escaped with minor injuries after an oil tanker rammed on matatu they were travelling in along Kenol–Sagana road.
The passengers were rushed to Thika Level 5 hospital where they were treated and discharged after the 10pm incident on Monday night.
The oil tanker which was heading towards Nyeri busted into flames few minutes after hitting the matatu from behind.
Driver and loader of the tanker escaped with injuries as boda boda riders who operate at Kitini market rushed to evacuate passengers of the matatu before they could be affected by fire.
The driver of the lorry is said to have lost control occasioning the accident where he also hit another oncoming vehicle.
The Murang’a South SCPC, Dorothy Gaitenga said the matatu was pushed to bushes after it was hit from behind, saying passengers who were seated at back seat sustained minor injuries.
She added that during the accident another vehicle destined to Nairobi was involved but it proceeded and reported the matter at Thika police station.
“The wreckages were towed to Makuyu police station for inspection to help establish cause of the accident,” said Gaitenga.
The SCPC appealed to motorists plying along the highways to exercise caution to help reduce accidents which have increased in recent times.
“Many of the accidents along the highway are caused by speeding among other factors which can be avoided,” she said.
She lauded fire fighters from Kenol town who rushed to the scene and helped in putting off the fire before it caused more damages.
“Boda boda operators helped to rescue passengers who were in matatu before they could be affected by the fire. That’s was commendable assistance,” noted Gaitenga.
The riders led by Julius Kioko pleaded with Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to erect bumps along the section of the road as several accidents have happened there.
By Bernard Munyao