Two major road accidents on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway killed over 40 people in October, according to local reports. The incidents, which occurred in separate locations along the route, involved multiple vehicles and resulted in significant casualties. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has called for road accidents to be classified as a national disaster, citing the high number of fatalities and the need for urgent safety measures.
The first crash, reported near the town of Kikuyu, involved a bus and a truck, leading to at least 20 deaths. The second incident, near the village of Muthi, saw a collision between a minibus and a lorry, killing at least 22 people. Emergency services responded quickly but were overwhelmed by the scale of the incidents.
Road safety in Kenya has been a growing concern, with frequent accidents reported on major highways. The NTSA has previously issued warnings about poor road conditions, lack of enforcement of speed limits, and inadequate vehicle maintenance. This latest call for a national disaster declaration follows a series of high-profile crashes that have raised public and governmental alarm.
The government is under pressure to implement stricter safety regulations and improve infrastructure on the Nairobi-Mombasa route, one of the country’s busiest highways. The NTSA has also urged drivers to exercise caution and adhere to traffic laws to prevent further loss of life.
