24 Killed in Kenya Bus-Truck Crash as Calls Grow for National Emergency

At least 24 people have been killed and another 24 injured after a bus collided head-on with a truck on Kenya’s main highway linking Nairobi and Mombasa, prompting renewed calls for urgent action to address the country’s deadly road accidents.

The crash happened on Sunday morning as passengers on the bus were returning to Mombasa after attending the funeral of their church pastor in western Kenya.

Authorities have attributed the collision to improper overtaking, although accounts from survivors describe how the truck allegedly attempted to overtake the bus before encountering oncoming traffic.

Reverend Spencier Mdave, who was travelling on the bus, said the truck driver tried to abandon the overtaking manoeuvre after realising there was traffic approaching from the opposite direction.

According to Mdave, the driver lost control during the attempt, resulting in the devastating collision.

He said passengers seated at the back of the bus suffered the most severe injuries, while those seated towards the front were generally in better condition. Mdave sustained minor bruises and said he had experienced no significant pain since the accident.

The crash has intensified concerns about road safety in Kenya, particularly along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa highway, which connects the country’s capital with its principal port city.

Sunday’s accident occurred just three weeks after another deadly crash along the same highway killed 17 people, many of whom were Catholic pilgrims. The latest tragedy has renewed demands for stronger enforcement of traffic regulations and urgent measures to prevent further loss of life.

Kenya’s transport safety authority is calling for road crashes to be declared a national emergency or disaster, arguing that the number of fatalities requires a stronger national response.

Officials estimate that approximately 20,000 road crashes occur in the country each year, resulting in more than 5,000 deaths. The figures have raised concerns about the effectiveness of existing road safety measures and the need for stricter compliance with traffic regulations.

President William Ruto has responded to the latest accident by ordering inspections of all public service vehicles to ensure they comply with safety requirements.

The president also expressed condolences to the families of those who died and urged motorists to exercise greater caution while driving.

He called on drivers to observe traffic rules and prioritise the protection of human life, stressing the importance of responsible behaviour on the roads.

Speeding, poor road conditions and dangerous driving practices have previously been identified as contributing factors in road accidents across Kenya. Improper overtaking, in particular, can expose drivers and passengers to serious risks when vehicles enter lanes occupied by oncoming traffic.

The latest collision has once again placed road safety at the centre of national attention, with transport officials pressing for stronger preventive measures and greater public awareness.

As investigations continue, the government faces renewed pressure to ensure that public service vehicles are roadworthy and that drivers follow traffic regulations. For the families who lost loved ones, the immediate concern remains mourning those killed and supporting the injured.

With another fatal crash occurring on a major transport route within weeks of a previous tragedy, officials are being urged to turn calls for action into measures that can help reduce road deaths across the country.