One person has been seriously injured following a road accident involving a lorry owned by Crown Paints Kenya Limited along the busy Karen–Ngong Road near Karen Village on Monday morning.

According to eyewitnesses, the crash occurred when the lorry’s driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, veered off the tarmac, and rammed into a roadside barrier before striking a tree. The vehicle, which was heading towards Ngong town, left a trail of debris scattered along the roadside, briefly disrupting traffic flow in the area.

Witnesses at the scene described a chaotic moment as motorists and pedestrians rushed to assist the injured man, believed to be a pedestrian who was walking on the shoulder of the road when the incident occurred. They reported that the lorry appeared to have developed a brake failure just moments before the driver lost control.

“The truck was moving fast, then suddenly started swerving from one side to another before hitting the barrier and crashing into a tree,” said one eyewitness who spoke to reporters at the scene. “People screamed, and a few boda boda riders stopped to help.”

Emergency responders and traffic police officers from the Karen Police Station arrived shortly after the accident. The injured victim, who sustained a deep cut to the upper jaw and facial bruises, was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. His condition was described as serious but stable by medics who received him at the facility.

Police officers towed the damaged lorry from the scene to allow free movement of vehicles along the busy Karen–Ngong route, which serves as a vital link between Nairobi’s western suburbs and the Ngong Hills area. Traffic was temporarily diverted as the wreckage was cleared, causing minor delays for morning commuters.

Authorities have since launched investigations into the cause of the crash. Preliminary reports point to possible mechanical failure, though police say a detailed assessment by road safety inspectors will confirm whether poor maintenance, speeding, or human error played a role.

“The lorry has been detained for inspection as part of our investigations,” said a senior traffic officer from the Karen Police Base. “We are also recording statements from the driver, company representatives, and witnesses to determine exactly what happened.”

Crown Paints Kenya Limited, one of the country’s leading paint manufacturers, had not immediately issued an official statement regarding the incident. However, company representatives were seen at the site later in the afternoon to coordinate with police and ensure the scene was safely cleared.

The accident reignited discussions about road safety and mechanical inspections of heavy commercial vehicles operating on urban roads. Transport analysts have long warned that many industrial lorries are poorly maintained, posing a threat to motorists and pedestrians alike.

According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), brake failure and loss of control remain among the leading causes of road crashes involving heavy vehicles. The agency has in recent months intensified inspections and urged fleet owners to ensure their vehicles undergo routine maintenance and safety checks.

Residents along the Karen–Ngong corridor also expressed concern over the frequency of accidents in the area, calling for stricter enforcement of speed limits and improved road signage. “This stretch has seen several crashes in the past few months. It’s time for more speed bumps and regular traffic patrols,” said a local business owner.

By mid-afternoon, the lorry wreckage had been cleared, and normal traffic flow restored. Police said they would release a full report once the mechanical evaluation and driver interrogation are complete.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regular vehicle maintenance and vigilance on Kenya’s roads, especially for commercial operators whose vehicles carry heavy loads through densely populated areas.