Traffic snarl-up after two trucks collide, burst into flames along Mombasa Road

Traffic was disrupted after two trailers collided and burst into flames on Mombasa Road, Athi River.

Two transit trailers collided and erupted into massive flames along Mombasa Road near Greenpark Estate in Athi River on Monday morning, bringing traffic on the busy highway to a near standstill.

The impact triggered an intense fire that rapidly engulfed both heavy trucks, leaving motorists in shock.

According to eyewitnesses, the crash occurred around 5:40 am as one of the trailers, believed to have been heading toward Nairobi, rammed into another near the Greenpark Estate junction.

The force of the collision sparked a powerful explosion, with flames spreading quickly across both vehicles.

Drivers approaching the scene were forced to brake abruptly as visibility was reduced by heavy smoke rising high above the roadway.

Emergency response teams, including firefighters and traffic police, rushed to the scene to contain the inferno and secure the area. Videos and images circulating online showed towering flames and twisted metal as the trailers burned fiercely.

By mid-morning, responders were still battling the blaze and working to prevent it from spreading further, especially given the risk posed by unknown cargo aboard the trucks.

The accident completely blocked the Nairobi-bound carriageway of Mombasa Road, triggering a traffic jam estimated to stretch nearly five kilometres.

Commuters heading to work and long-distance travellers were stranded for hours as authorities diverted vehicles and attempted to clear the wreckage.

Some motorists abandoned their cars temporarily to observe the scene from a safer distance, while others sought alternative routes through feeder roads in Athi River.

Police officers at the site urged drivers to remain patient and avoid crowding near the accident area, warning that slowing down to watch emergency operations could worsen congestion and increase the risk of secondary crashes.

Recovery operations were expected to take several hours due to the extensive damage and the need to allow the fire to cool before the trailers could be towed away.

Authorities have not officially confirmed whether there were fatalities or injuries resulting from the crash.

Investigations into the cause of the collision were ongoing, with preliminary assessments focusing on possible speeding, mechanical failure, or driver error, common contributing factors in heavy commercial vehicle accidents along the Mombasa–Nairobi corridor.

The highway is a critical transport artery linking the Port of Mombasa to Nairobi and the wider region, and it carries thousands of heavy trucks daily.

Road safety experts have consistently identified sections of the corridor as high-risk zones due to the high volume of freight traffic and the interaction between large commercial vehicles and smaller private cars.

Police said a comprehensive statement would be issued once investigations and recovery efforts are complete.