A joyful family reunion turned to tragedy when 14 members of the same family lost their lives in a horrific road accident on the Nakuru–Nairobi highway near Gilgil.

Patrick Mburu, who lost his parents, four sisters and other close relatives in the crash on Sunday evening, says the family had been travelling from Kandara in Murang'a to Nakuru to visit their aunt in Lanet.

"Our youngest sister suggested that we visit our grandparents for a get-together. It was supposed to be our second family gathering after the one we held at our uncle’s home last month. But it all ended in tragedy,” Mr Mburu says still struggling to come to terms with the loss.

The journey began with four passengers: his father, Elijah Mburu Maina; his mother, Lydia Njeri; his sister, Catherine Njambi; and his nephew, who was driving the family matatu. More relatives joined them along the way.

“Four more boarded at Kasarani in Nairobi, and others joined in Naivasha, bringing the total to sixteen passengers,” Mburu recalls.

By the time they reached Kariandusi, disaster had struck. Fourteen people died on the spot, leaving only two survivors.

The lorry wreck at the scene of the accident in Kariandusi, Gilgil, which claimed 14 lives on Sunday.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

Among those who perished were Mburu’s parents, Elijah and Lydia; his sisters, Catherine Njambi, Loice Wambui, Naomi Wangui and Pauline Muthoni; his nephew, Elijah Mburu; and the driver, Elijah Mburu. The others who lost their lives were his uncle Robison Karanja and two children, Grace Waithera and Eunice, together with Lydia Wanjiru, Beatrice Waithera and Everline Nyaweru.

One survivor, Muioniki, is receiving treatment at Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital, while another survivor is in hospital at St Joseph's.

A relative of the victims, Stephen Gicheru, said that he had lost his wife and daughter in the crash, although his son had survived and was currently in hospital.

"I first heard about the accident on a Facebook page. I immediately tried calling my wife, but she didn't answer. At 9pm, a cousin confirmed the worst. Initially, I was told that my entire family had perished, but I later found out that one of my children had survived,” Mr Gicheru says.

According to Wilston Mwakio, the Gilgil Sub-County Police Commander, the 14 victims included three male adults, nine female adults and two children.

The matatu wreck at the Gilgil police station claimed 14 lives in an accident on Sunday.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

Nakuru County Teaching and Referral Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr James Waweru confirmed receiving one of the survivors.

“We admitted a male adult who was referred to us. He is currently stable but remains unconscious," Dr Waweru says.

While the family comes to terms with their loss, Patrick has appealed to well-wishers for support to help with the significant financial burden of transporting the bodies and planning the funerals.

“I appeal to anyone with goodwill to help us in any way they can,” he says.

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