More Than Five Killed as Matatu and Lorry Crash at Salama on Nairobi-Mombasa Highway
Salama, Kenya – A tragic accident along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway has claimed the lives of more than five people after a head-on collision between a Naekana public service vehicle (PSV) and a lorry at Salama Downtown on Saturday afternoon.
Among the victims were two students from Emali Township who were travelling home for the half-term break. Several other passengers sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Sultan Hamud Hospital, where medical personnel confirmed that one female student from Ukia Girls High School remains in critical condition.
Eyewitness Accounts
Witnesses at the scene described the collision as severe, with both vehicles extensively damaged. They attributed the crash to poor visibility and slippery road conditions caused by heavy rains currently affecting many parts of the country.
“The road was wet and visibility was low. Suddenly, the matatu and the lorry collided head-on. It was a terrible scene,” said one eyewitness.
Rescue Efforts
Police officers stationed in the area were forced to improvise transport arrangements to evacuate the deceased and injured victims. Residents expressed frustration at the lack of adequate emergency services along the busy highway, which they said often delays life-saving interventions.
“We had to use private vehicles to carry the injured because ambulances were not readily available. This is unacceptable on such a major road,” a local resident remarked.
Hospital Response
Doctors at Sultan Hamud Hospital confirmed receiving multiple casualties from the crash. While several passengers are being treated for injuries, the hospital noted that resources remain stretched due to the high number of accident victims along the highway.
Public Outcry
The accident has reignited public anger over the state of the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, one of Kenya’s busiest transport corridors. Local residents blamed the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) for failing to act on long-standing demands to redesign and widen the road section at Salama, which they say has claimed numerous lives in previous accidents.
“This stretch of road has been a death trap for years. The government must urgently redesign and expand it to handle the heavy traffic,” said another resident.
Community leaders argued that the high traffic volume, combined with poor road conditions, continues to expose motorists and passengers to significant risks.
Broader Context
The Nairobi-Mombasa highway is a critical artery for trade and travel, linking Kenya’s capital to its main port city. However, it has also become notorious for fatal accidents, with poor road design, reckless driving, and inadequate emergency response frequently cited as contributing factors.
Road safety advocates have called for stricter enforcement of traffic laws, improved driver training, and urgent investment in infrastructure upgrades to reduce fatalities.
Conclusion
As families mourn the loss of loved ones, the Salama crash underscores the urgent need for comprehensive road safety reforms along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway. With more than five lives lost and several others injured, the tragedy has once again highlighted the human cost of delayed infrastructure improvements and inadequate emergency preparedness.
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More Than Five Killed as Matatu and Lorry Crash at Salama on Nairobi-Mombasa Highway
