17 Killed, 7 Injured in Multiple Car Collision Along Nairobi-Mombasa Highway

17 Killed, 7 Injured in Multiple Car Collision Along Nairobi-Mombasa Highway

At least 17 people have reportedly been killed in a horrific road accident involving a 14-seater matatu and a lorry at Salama along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway in Makueni County.

The deadly crash occurred shortly after midnight on Saturday, October 3, according to preliminary reports, leaving the matatu extensively damaged and several people injured.

Witness accounts indicate that the lorry may have lost control before crashing into the passenger vehicle. The exact circumstances of the accident, however, had not been fully established as police and emergency teams assessed the scene.

The 14-seater matatu was reportedly carrying 18 passengers when the collision occurred.

Seven other people were rushed to Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital for medical attention following the crash. The extent of their injuries was still being assessed as rescue and recovery operations continued.

Images from the scene showed the matatu with severe damage to its front section. Its windscreen was shattered, while several windows were broken and the tyres were deflated, highlighting the force of the collision.

Lorry reportedly lost control

Initial accounts indicate that the lorry lost control before ramming into the matatu.

A witness said some of the passengers in the matatu were travelling to Subukia Shrine in Nakuru County for prayers when the accident occurred.

The report has not established the exact cause of the lorry losing control, with investigators expected to examine the vehicles and the road conditions as part of efforts to determine what happened.

Police and other emergency responders were dispatched to the scene following the crash.

The accident also caused disruption along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa Highway as motorists slowed down while emergency teams worked at the scene.

More accidents reported along highway

The Salama crash comes barely a day after another serious accident disrupted traffic along the same highway.

On Thursday night, two trailers collided at Kapiti Plains in Machakos County, blocking both lanes and causing a traffic jam that lasted for several hours.

Motorists reportedly spent much of the night stuck between Malili and the Machakos Junction area as authorities and other responders worked to clear the highway.

The repeated accidents have renewed attention on road safety along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, one of Kenya’s major transport corridors.

The highway carries large numbers of passenger vehicles, trucks and trailers transporting people and goods between Nairobi and the Coast.

Road safety concerns persist

The latest crash adds to a series of serious accidents reported on the highway in recent weeks.

A separate crash at Kiboko on September 26 left one person dead and four others seriously injured after a truck overturned onto a car.

Another collision involving a Dreamline bus and a trailer was reported near Taru and Mackinnon Road on September 23, with passengers injured and some reportedly trapped inside the bus.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) is responsible for regulating road transport and safety in Kenya, including developing road safety strategies and monitoring road safety data.

The authority has repeatedly urged motorists to observe traffic rules and exercise caution on major highways.

As investigations into the Salama accident continue, authorities are expected to establish the circumstances that led to the fatal collision and determine whether mechanical failure, driver behaviour or other factors played a role.

The identities of the victims had not been officially released at the time of reporting, pending notification of their families.

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17 Killed, 7 Injured in Multiple Car Collision Along Nairobi-Mombasa Highway