Tragedy on Nairobi-Mombasa Highway as Seven Die, 27 Injured in Horror Multi-Vehicle Crash at Mlima Kiu
A devastating road accident along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa Highway has claimed the lives of seven people and left at least 27 others nursing serious injuries, once again drawing attention to the notorious Mlima Kiu black spot in Makueni County.
The horrific crash occurred on Sunday night near the ACK area in Salama, involving multiple vehicles and causing significant disruption along one of Kenya’s busiest transport corridors.
According to police reports, the accident involved a truck, a passenger bus, two saloon cars, and a motorcycle. The impact of the collision was so severe that seven victims died instantly at the scene.
Emergency responders and traffic police rushed to the area shortly after the accident was reported. Officers secured the scene, facilitated rescue operations, and coordinated the evacuation of the injured to nearby medical facilities.
Victims Rushed to Hospital as Rescue Teams Race Against Time
The 27 injured survivors were rushed to Sultan Hamud Subcounty Hospital, where medical personnel worked through the night to provide emergency treatment.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and anguish as rescue teams struggled to extract victims trapped in the wreckage. Several of those admitted to hospital were reportedly in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could rise.
“The situation was heartbreaking. Some victims were unconscious while others were crying for help,” said one witness who arrived at the scene shortly after the crash.
Police later moved the bodies of the deceased to a local mortuary pending post-mortem examinations and formal identification by relatives.
Authorities had not immediately confirmed whether any of the drivers involved in the collision were among those who lost their lives.
Traffic Paralysed Along Key Transport Corridor
The accident triggered a massive traffic snarl-up along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, with hundreds of motorists stranded for several hours as emergency services cleared the scene.
Traffic officers eventually restored the flow of vehicles after removing the damaged vehicles and debris from the roadway.
The wreckage of the involved vehicles was towed to Salama Police Station, where investigators are expected to conduct further inspections as part of ongoing inquiries.
Police have launched investigations to establish the exact cause of the crash, although preliminary findings had not been released by the time of publication.
Mlima Kiu Remains One of Kenya’s Most Dangerous Road Sections
The latest tragedy has renewed concerns over safety along the Mlima Kiu stretch, a section of the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway that has repeatedly been associated with fatal road accidents.
Road safety experts and local residents have long identified the area as a high-risk zone due to frequent cases of overspeeding, dangerous overtaking, head-on collisions, and poor visibility, especially during adverse weather conditions.
Sultan Hamud Subcounty Hospital regularly receives accident victims from crashes occurring along the stretch due to its proximity to the highway.
The area has witnessed numerous deadly accidents in recent years. On February 21, 2026, five people lost their lives after a matatu belonging to Naekana Sacco collided head-on with a lorry during heavy rainfall.
Residents Demand Action as Fatal Crashes Continue
Following Sunday’s tragedy, residents once again accused the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) of failing to implement long-term safety measures despite repeated calls for the redesign and expansion of the highway section.
Community leaders argue that the continued loss of lives highlights the urgent need for road upgrades, improved signage, additional overtaking lanes, and stricter traffic enforcement.
Meanwhile, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and police have reiterated their appeal to motorists to exercise caution while using the highway. Drivers have been urged to avoid speeding, reckless overtaking, and night travel whenever possible, particularly along accident-prone sections such as Mlima Kiu.
As investigations continue, families of the victims are left mourning loved ones lost in yet another tragic reminder of the dangers that continue to plague Kenya’s roads.
