KPA CEO William Ruto injured in Taita Taveta accident, daughter dies

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director, Capt. William K. Ruto, has been hospitalised following a tragic road accident involving him and his family on Friday, April 3, around Taita Taveta.

The accident, confirmed by the authority, tragically claimed the life of his daughter.

“We are deeply saddened to announce that our Chief Executive Officer, Capt. William K. Ruto, was involved in a tragic road accident yesterday evening while travelling with his family,” KPA said in a statement on Saturday, April 4.

STATEMENT ON OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CAPT. WILLIAM K. RUTO'S INVOLVEMENT IN A ROAD ACCIDENT. pic.twitter.com/xhaHwon4eW

— Kenya Ports Authority (@Kenya_Ports) April 4, 2026

“Regrettably, his daughter did not survive the accident. We extend our thoughts and deepest condolences to Capt. Ruto and his family during this time of immense grief.”

Capt. Ruto, who has served as KPA’s head since 2023, is reported to be in stable condition and under close medical supervision.

“We remain hopeful for their full and swift recovery,” the authority stated, offering reassurance about the condition of the surviving family members.

KPA also confirmed that they are cooperating with investigative authorities, including the police, to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

“We are cooperating with the relevant authorities as they establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. We will continue to provide updates as appropriate and as more information becomes available,” the statement read.

The authority further appealed to the public for privacy as the family navigates the devastating loss. KPA urged, in essence, that the family be allowed space and time to grieve.

The accident occurred amid a particularly deadly Friday night on Kenyan roads, with multiple crashes reported as travellers headed upcountry for the Easter holidays and schools closed for the term.

In one of the most severe incidents, the death toll from a Nairobi-Nakuru highway crash at Kariandusi near Gilgil rose to 11 after another victim succumbed to injuries while being rushed to the hospital.

That crash involved a 14-seater matatu that rammed into a stalled trailer in the early hours of Saturday morning. According to Gilgil Sub-County Police Commander Winston Mwakio, the trailer had developed mechanical problems and stalled on the road before the speeding matatu lost control and collided with it.

In another accident, the Kenya Red Cross Society reported a crash around 5:20am at the Tunnel area in Fort Tenan, Kericho County, involving two buses and two lorries carrying 66 passengers.

Twenty casualties were reported, though fortunately, no fatalities occurred. Five people sustained serious injuries, with two referred to higher-level facilities, while the remaining victims, including six children, received treatment at Fort Tenan Sub-County Hospital.