At least 22 people were killed and several others injured on Sunday morning when a bus and a lorry collided head-on along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, turning a busy stretch of road into a scene of death and devastation.
The 7am crash occurred at Kanga, past Mtito Andei, leaving families bereaved and survivors nursing injuries in yet another tragedy on one of Kenya’s busiest transport corridors.
Traffic ground to a halt as travellers and passers-by gathered near the scene, confronted by the aftermath of the collision.
Makueni County Commissioner Abdullahi Khalif confirmed the deaths, saying several other passengers had been injured.
The bus was reportedly carrying passengers returning from a burial ceremony when it collided with the lorry. For those on board, a journey home ended in tragedy, with survivors rushed to Mtito Andei Sub-County Hospital for treatment.
The bodies of those killed were taken to the hospital mortuary.
The cause of the crash had not been established by the time of publication.
The deaths add to the grim toll on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, where another accident involving multiple vehicles killed 17 people two weeks ago.
The latest tragedy comes as the National Police Service and the National Transport and Safety Authority intensify a nationwide road safety campaign ahead of the December festive season, when millions of Kenyans are expected to travel to their rural homes and holiday destinations.
The annual increase in travel brings renewed concerns about speeding, dangerous overtaking and driver fatigue. Some motorists, seeking to reach their destinations quickly or make more trips to maximise earnings, have been accused of taking risks that endanger passengers and other road users.
Official figures cited in the campaign indicate that more than 415 people died in road crashes during the 2025 festive season, a 23 per cent increase compared with the 2024 holiday period.
Police and the NTSA are seeking to reverse the trend through public awareness campaigns and stepped-up enforcement. Motorists have been urged to observe speed limits, avoid dangerous overtaking, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and rest adequately before long journeys.
Yet the latest crash underscores the continuing challenge of preventing fatal collisions despite repeated safety warnings.
Authorities have identified speeding, reckless overtaking and drink-driving among the leading causes of road crashes. Mechanical defects, including worn tyres and faulty brakes, also pose risks, while potholes, inadequate lighting and confusing road signs can make journeys more hazardous.
As investigations into Sunday’s collision continue, families are left mourning their loved ones while injured passengers recover in hospital. The tragedy is another reminder of the devastating consequences of fatal road crashes, even as authorities seek to make the country’s roads safer ahead of the festive rush.
