Three people, among them a woman and her 16-year-old daughter, died in a tragic road accident involving a motorcycle and a Nissan matatu at Tarakwa area along the Bomet–Kaplong Highway.

The crash occurred when the matatu driver attempted to overtake the motorcycle but slowed down after noticing oncoming traffic, resulting in the vehicle ramming into the bodaboda from behind. Both vehicles were heading towards Kaplong at the time of the accident.

The woman and her teenage daughter were reportedly returning home from shopping and were about 100 metres from their residence when the collision occurred.

Confirming the incident, County Disaster Management Officer Stanley Mutai said the woman died on the spot, while her daughter and the bodaboda rider succumbed to their injuries after being rushed to Kaplong Mission Hospital.

“It is unfortunate that we have lost three lives in this accident,” Mutai said, adding that preliminary investigations indicate the crash happened during an overtaking attempt by the matatu driver.

He urged motorists to exercise caution and strictly adhere to traffic regulations, noting that accidents along the highway have been increasing at an alarming rate.

Residents of Tarakwa and surrounding areas have also expressed concern over the rising number of accidents along the road, calling on authorities to urgently implement safety measures.

In a separate incident, seven people were killed and 30 others seriously injured in a road accident at the Tunnel area in Kipkelion, Kericho County, prompting residents to demand an urgent redesign and expansion of the road.

According to police and eyewitnesses, the accident occurred when a Kisumu-bound bus rammed into a lorry travelling in the same direction. Several victims died on the spot, while dozens of passengers sustained serious injuries.

Residents blamed the tragedy on what they described as a poorly designed road that has become a notorious accident hotspot.

“This road is extremely dangerous because of its design,” said resident Janet Siele. “We have repeatedly raised our concerns with authorities, but no action has been taken. Now we are burying our loved ones due to negligence.”

Another resident, Florence Marusoi, said the community was overwhelmed by the continued loss of lives.

“It is heartbreaking to keep losing people through accidents that could have been prevented,” she said. “We want this road expanded and properly redesigned.”

Residents noted that the Tunnel area has recorded numerous accidents in the past, especially involving heavy commercial vehicles and passenger buses, citing narrow lanes and poor visibility as major risk factors.

Health officials confirmed that the 30 injured passengers are receiving treatment at Londiani Sub-County Hospital and are in stable condition.

Local leaders have joined residents in urging the roads authority to urgently assess the road, warning that more lives could be lost if immediate action is not taken.