At least 30 passengers were injured on Tuesday evening after a 33-seater bus plunged into a river at Waruku, off Waiyaki Way in Nairobi. The accident, which occurred at around 5:30 PM, left dozens of people nursing multiple injuries as rescue operations continued into the night.
Witnesses at the scene said the bus lost control before overturning and crashing into the river. The impact left the vehicle partially submerged, with bystanders and rescue teams working frantically to save those trapped inside.
Nairobi County Environment Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria confirmed the incident, saying, “A bus has plunged into a river at Waruku, leaving over 30 people injured. Rescue operations are ongoing, and more than 20 victims have been taken to Riverside Medical Center, while others are still being evacuated. More ambulances are urgently needed.”
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai also appealed for emergency support from the Kenya Red Cross Society and St. John Ambulance, urging them to join the rescue efforts.
Images from the scene showed rescuers carrying victims from the wreckage, some lying on the riverbank awaiting medical attention. Police have launched investigations to determine the cause of the crash.
The Waruku tragedy comes amid growing concern over road safety in Kenya. According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), more than 4,000 people die annually in separate road accidents across the country. In its April 2025 report, NTSA noted that 5,856 people were involved in crashes between January and April—a drop from the previous year—but warned that the number of motorcycle-related accidents remains high.
Police have intensified nationwide road safety operations to curb accidents caused by speeding, reckless driving, and drunk driving.
