Five people, among them one child, died early Thursday morning following a grisly road accident that occurred near Kikopey along the busy Nakuru-Gilgil Highway.

Several people were injured and were rushed to hospital for treatment.

Preliminary investigations conducted by the police indicate that the accident occurred after two matatus belonging to Nairobi and Mololine Bus Companies rammed onto a lorry that was stalled along the climbing lane facing towards Nairobi direction.

“Today, the 26th day of January, 2023 at about 05:00 am, a fatal traffic accident occurred along Nakuru-Gilgil Highway near Kikopey Trading Centre,” said the National Police Service in a statement.

“As a result of the impact, five people (4 adults and 1 child) lost their lives, while several others were injured.”

Police who have since launched comprehensive investigations into the exact cause of the accident are now appealing to motorists and all road users to adhere to traffic rules by driving within the legal speed limits.

They are also calling on motorists to refrain from driving under influence of alcohol and any other form of recklessness while on the road.