A road accident along the Ikutha-Kasaala Road in Kitui County has left five people dead and 21 others injured after a lorry carrying traders overturned.
The crash occurred at Kasarani, past Mutulu Shopping Centre, along the Ikutha-Mutulu-Kasaala Road as the lorry was reportedly ferrying traders heading to Kasaala Market.
The vehicle lost control before overturning by the roadside, leaving several passengers trapped and others seriously injured.
Ikutha Sub-County Police Commander Raphael Mutiso confirmed that five people died at the scene.
The victims were identified as one man and four women. Their bodies were later taken to the mortuary at Mutomo Level 4 Sub-County Hospital.
Twenty-one other people sustained injuries in the accident and were taken to Ikutha Level 4 Hospital, where they were receiving treatment. Some of the injured were reported to have suffered serious injuries.
Pictures taken at the scene showed the white lorry lying upside down beside the road. Residents and emergency responders could be seen assisting the victims and helping with rescue operations shortly after the crash.
Police had not established the exact circumstances that led to the accident by the time of publication. Investigations are expected to determine what caused the driver to lose control of the lorry and whether any other factors contributed to the crash.
The Kitui accident adds to a growing list of road crashes reported in different parts of the country in recent days. On Tuesday, September 1, several people were injured after at least three vehicles were involved in a collision at Kinungi along the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway.
The Kinungi accident involved a Super Metro bus and another bus, among other vehicles. The Super Metro bus was reportedly travelling from Nairobi towards Busia, while another bus was heading towards Nairobi when the vehicles collided at around 9pm.
Several passengers were injured, with some reportedly trapped inside the damaged vehicles. Emergency teams responded to the scene and helped remove those trapped before taking the injured to hospital for medical attention.
The latest incidents have again raised concerns about road safety and the number of people losing their lives in crashes across Kenya.
Data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) indicates that 2,150 people died in road accidents during the first six months of 2026. The figure represented an 11 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2025, highlighting the continued challenge of reducing road deaths in the country.
