Panic and confusion filled the air on the evening of Tuesday, October 7, after a 33-seater bus veered off the road and plunged into a river at Waruku, off Waiyaki Way in Nairobi.
The horrific accident left dozens of passengers injured and sparked a massive rescue operation that drew in emergency responders, local residents, and motorists who witnessed the tragedy unfold.
According to eyewitness accounts, the bus lost control while navigating a sharp stretch of road before swerving off course and tumbling into the Mashagusha stream, a small tributary of the Kitusuru River that runs through the Waruku Village area of Kileleshwa.
The vehicle landed on its side in the shallow riverbed, trapping many passengers inside and making rescue efforts extremely difficult.
Preliminary reports indicate that several people sustained serious injuries, with conflicting accounts suggesting there may have been fatalities, although these have not yet been independently verified. Nairobi Chief Officer for Environment, Geoffrey Mosiria, confirmed that at least 30 passengers were seriously hurt in the crash.
“A bus has plunged into a river at Waruku, off Waiyaki Way. Over 30 people have been injured, with more than 20 currently receiving treatment at Riverside Medical Center,” Mosiria stated in a post shared on his social media pages.
Images and videos from the scene painted a grim picture of the accident’s aftermath. The bus, which had toppled on its side, was partially submerged in water, forcing rescuers and good Samaritans to pull out passengers through the windows.
Many of those rescued were bleeding or visibly shaken, while others appeared to be in shock as emergency teams worked frantically to get everyone to safety.
The rescue operation was particularly challenging because of the bus’s unstable position in the river and the limited visibility as darkness set in.
First responders, aided by police officers and local volunteers, used ropes and makeshift ladders to reach trapped passengers. Some rescuers even waded through waist-deep water to assist those still stuck inside the bus.
At the time of this report, no deaths had been officially confirmed, but medical officials warned that several victims were in critical condition and were being closely monitored. T
he exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, though eyewitnesses suspect brake failure or over-speeding could have played a role.
This latest tragedy marks the second major bus accident in Nairobi within weeks. In a previous incident along Jogoo Road, a speeding bus lost control, veered off the road, and plunged into a ditch—killing one passenger on the spot and injuring several others.
Tuesday’s Waruku crash also came just hours after another unrelated road incident earlier that morning, where a private car veered off an exit and overturned along Thika Highway, further highlighting growing concerns about road safety in the capital.
As investigations continue, authorities have urged motorists to exercise extra caution, particularly along high-traffic roads like Waiyaki Way, where construction works, slippery surfaces, and speeding often contribute to such devastating accidents.
Emergency responders have since cleared the wreckage, but the tragic images from the Waruku riverbed continue to serve as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for stricter traffic enforcement, vehicle inspections, and better road safety awareness to prevent future disasters.
Join Government Official WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
