Nine people have died, and several others were injured in an accident involving a matatu at Katangi Market on the Kitui-Machakos road.
A nine-year-old child and eight adults were among those killed.
Machakos Health Executive Daniel Yumbya verified the event, which included a 41-seater matatu.
"Eight people died on the spot, and the ninth died on arrival at Machakos County Referral Hospital," Yumbya said.
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Thirty others were seriously injured and were transferred to several regional hospitals.
According to Yumbya, five of the 18 injured passengers treated at the Machakos Level 5 hospital suffered critical injuries.
According to sources, the ill-fated Matatu was ferrying charcoal when the tragedy occurred on Monday evening.
According to witnesses, at least 30 sacks of charcoal were thrown at the scene following the accident.