Two people were injured following a road accident along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway in Mtito Andei, Makueni County. The accident, which occurred on Thursday morning, involved a tanker and a trailer that collided head-on before both vehicles caught fire.
Eyewitnesses reported that the crash happened at approximately 8:00 am in the Kanga area, within Kibwezi sub-county. According to one witness, the tanker was transporting edible oil from Mombasa, while the trailer was traveling in the opposite direction when the collision occurred.
“The accident involved a tanker carrying edible oil and a trailer. Upon reaching Kanga, they collided head-on before catching fire,” an eyewitness told The Star by phone.
Local authorities confirmed that both drivers sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital in Mtito Andei, where they are receiving treatment. Their current conditions remain unclear, but officials assured that medical personnel are attending to them.
The collision resulted in a significant traffic snarl-up along the busy highway, with vehicles stretching for several kilometers. Police officers arrived at the scene shortly after the accident and worked tirelessly to clear the wreckage and restore normal traffic flow. Firefighters were also deployed to extinguish the flames that engulfed both vehicles.
Several motorists and passengers found themselves stranded due to the congestion, with some seeking alternative routes to avoid the delay. The incident has once again raised concerns about road safety along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, a major transport corridor linking Kenya’s capital to the coastal region.
By the time of publication, authorities had not yet issued an official statement regarding the accident. However, preliminary reports suggest that speeding or miscalculation may have contributed to the crash. Further investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the collision.
Road accidents remain a pressing issue in Kenya, with officials urging drivers to exercise caution, especially on highways prone to heavy traffic and high-speed travel. The government and road safety agencies continue to push for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to reduce the frequency of such tragic incidents.
