Nyeri highway tragedy survivor recounts desperate maneuver to avoid cyclists before fatal crash

Survivor Ken Waweru details the Nyeri–Nyahururu Highway accident, recounting his attempt to avoid cyclists before the crash that claimed 16 lives.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 3:37 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from TUKO.co.ke

The Final Moments on Nyeri–Nyahururu Highway

Ken Waweru, the operator of the heavy truck involved in the March 28 disaster, provided a harrowing account of the events from his hospital bed. Waweru explained that the crisis began when he encountered two cyclists traveling toward him in close proximity. In a split second decision to preserve the lives of the cyclists, he veered the large vehicle sharply, causing it to lose stability and overturn on the busy highway. The resulting impact with a matatu led to one of the deadliest road incidents in the region this year.

A Desperate Struggle for Survival Amidst Wreckage

Following the rollover, Waweru found himself trapped within the mangled cabin of the truck, suspended by one leg. As residents and first responders rushed to the scene, he struggled to disentangle himself from the wreckage. Despite the trauma of the impact and the eventual loss of 16 lives in the collision, Waweru managed to free himself and was transported to the Nyeri County Referral Hospital. He remains under medical supervision, nursing minor injuries while grappling with the psychological weight of the tragedy.

Heartbreaking Accounts from Passenger Survivors

Other survivors have emerged with equally traumatic recollections of the sudden violence of the crash. One young woman, currently receiving treatment for significant head and hand injuries, described the loss of her front teeth due to the force of the collision. Another survivor, Henry Gatiba, recalled a deceptive moment of peace just before the accident. Gatiba and a friend had stopped to purchase yoghurt near a roadside shop and were relaxing in their vehicle when a loud bang and subsequent screams signaled the onset of the catastrophe.