At least 20 people have died in a grisly road accident at Taru along the Mombasa- Nairobi highway.

The accident happened between Taru and Samburu along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway within Samburu sub-county.

The county police commander Josphat Kinyua has confirmed.

He said among the dead are children.

According to Kinyua, the accident involved a PSV Matatu that went head-on collision with a trailer.

“An 18-seater Nissan collided with a heavy commercial truck,” he said in a phone interview.

The accident occurred past 5 pm according to him.

He said preliminary investigations reveal that the Matatu was speeding and had carried excess passengers.

The matatu was heading from Voi to Mombasa when it hit the oncoming coming lorry from the opposite direction.

According to sources, the matatu was trying to overtake another Nissan that was moving in the same direction.

They said due to the sudden impact some were thrown out of the Nissan’s windows and succumbed to injuries. 

Kinyua said the rescue and body identification process is still ongoing.

He said some died on the spot while others while being rushed to various hospitals for treatment. About 13 people died on the spot.

The dead were taken to Kinango mortuary while plans are underway to transport some to Voi.

Police have launched further investigations to establish the cause of the accident.

Kinyua cautioned motorists to be extra careful.

He warned against speeding and carrying excess passengers adding that stern actions will be taken against the perpetrators.