Four feared dead as two trucks collide, burst into flames on Nairobi-Mombasa Highway

A head-on collision between two trucks on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway near Kiunduani on Sunday has left at least four people feared dead, according to reports. The fiery crash in Makindu is believed to have trapped victims inside the wreckage, resulting in severe burns for those who survived. Eyewitnesses claim the victims include the drivers of both trucks, a woman, and a child who was traveling in one of the vehicles.

The woman was reportedly pregnant, though the claim has not been independently verified. Authorities have yet to release an official statement confirming the death toll, while the cause of the collision remains unknown. Footage from the scene shows desperate efforts by onlookers to control the raging flames, while stranded motorists faced long traffic delays.

Emergency services were notably absent in the footage taken shortly after the accident. This tragedy adds to a concerning pattern of deadly accidents along the 461-kilometer Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, which has seen several fatal incidents in recent months. Over 40 people have reportedly lost their lives in separate crashes since September, with the most devastating being the October 25 Kanga collision that claimed 22 lives, followed by the October 3 Salama accident with 17 fatalities.

Other notable crashes include the September 16 Kapiti incident that killed five people, the September 23 Taru crash that claimed two lives, and the current Kiunduani disaster. These recurring accidents have raised alarms over road safety on Kenya’s busiest transport route, which accommodates thousands of motorists and a substantial portion of the country’s cargo traffic.