A series of road accidents across the country on Sunday night and early Monday morning left dozens injured and hundreds of travelers stranded, highlighting once again the dangers on Kenya’s busy highways.
The most severe incident occurred at the Kanga Bridge between Voi and Mutitu, where two trucks collided head-on, leaving both vehicles completely wrecked. Images shared by the Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association (LoDDCA) showed the mangled fronts of the trucks and a long snarl-up that stretched for several kilometers on both sides of the highway. The cause of the crash had not yet been established by authorities at the time of reporting.
Stranded passengers and motorists were forced to wait overnight as emergency responders and traffic police worked to clear the wreckage. LoDDCA issued warnings urging long-distance drivers to exercise caution in the area, with many travelers describing the situation as chaotic.
Elsewhere, on the Embu-Meru Highway, several people were injured in a three-vehicle collision at Gatunduri. Witnesses reported that a personal car, whose front was completely destroyed, was involved in the crash alongside a truck that overturned and another vehicle. Emergency responders rushed the injured to Embu Level 5 Hospital, though the exact number of casualties had not yet been confirmed.
The spate of accidents came just hours after another crash along the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway at Kibarani, where a PSV matatu collided with a cargo container. The Kenya Red Cross, which responded swiftly to the scene, confirmed that 15 passengers sustained injuries. Of these, five were reported to be in critical condition, while eight others suffered minor injuries.
Authorities have since launched investigations into the accidents, with road safety campaigners calling for increased vigilance by both drivers and passengers. They also urged relevant agencies to intensify efforts to reduce highway accidents, which remain a leading cause of injuries and fatalities in the country.
The latest incidents underscore the urgent need for stricter road safety enforcement, improved driver awareness, and rapid emergency response systems to protect lives on Kenya’s major highways.
