Several people are feared to have died, and many others were left with serious injuries on Saturday morning after a bus collided with a lorry along the busy Nairobi–Mombasa Highway.
The exact number of fatalities was still unclear by the time of reporting, but early information suggests that some passengers may have succumbed to their injuries at the scene or while being rushed to hospital.
The tragic incident happened in the Kinyambu area of Makueni County. According to preliminary reports, the bus—travelling from Kisumu to Mombasa through Nairobi—lost control moments before the crash.
Witnesses who spoke to local reporters explained that the bus driver was attempting to overtake another vehicle when he suddenly met an oncoming lorry, resulting in a violent head-on collision.
Residents living near the crash site said the impact was so strong that the front part of the bus was completely smashed. Videos and images circulating widely on social media showed the bus with a shattered windscreen, twisted metal, and broken glass scattered across the tarmac.
The lorry was also badly damaged, making it difficult for rescuers to access the victims trapped inside.
Police officers, assisted by members of the public, quickly launched a rescue operation. They worked together to pull survivors from the wreckage and rush the injured to nearby health facilities.
For several hours, traffic along the major highway came to a standstill as authorities battled to clear the wreckage and restore the flow of vehicles. Motorists were forced to wait or seek alternative routes as the road remained blocked.
This latest accident comes at a time when the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) is preparing for nationwide commemorations for victims of road crashes.
The event, which is held globally every third Sunday of November, will take place in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, under the theme “Lost Talents.”
The theme highlights the skilled and promising individuals whose lives were cut short through road accidents, leaving long-lasting emotional, social, and economic gaps within families and communities.
Speaking to the press on Friday, November 14, NTSA Head of Communication Antony Nyongesa said this year’s commemoration aims to remind the public of the heavy impact road carnage continues to have on the country.
He noted that the event will honour not only those who died but also those who survived crashes with life-changing injuries.
NTSA statistics paint a worrying picture. From January to October this year, Kenya recorded 3,890 road fatalities, an increase from 3,805 deaths recorded during the same period last year.
The data further breaks down the deaths to show how different groups of road users continue to be affected. This year alone, 1,460 pedestrians, 351 drivers, 378 pillion passengers, 57 pedal cyclists, and 1,000 motorcyclists have lost their lives.
As investigations into the Makueni accident continue, authorities are urging all motorists to observe traffic rules, exercise patience on the road, and avoid dangerous overtaking—especially on highways known for heavy traffic and speeding.
The incident has once again raised concerns about road safety in the country, reminding Kenyans of the importance of responsible driving to reduce the rising number of tragedies witnessed every year.
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