NAIROBI — A pre-dawn crash involving three heavy-duty trailers has killed one person and seriously injured another, grinding traffic to a halt along Kenya’s busiest highway.
The collision, which happened around 5 a.m. near the Jet Inn area between Emali and Masimba, completely blocked both lanes of the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway. The wreckage sprawled across a railway overpass, bringing movement to a near standstill.
Police confirmed that one driver died on the spot. Another was rushed to hospital with critical injuries.
“Three trailers were involved in a collision on a section of the bridge. We can confirm one fatality and one serious injury,” said Police Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, speaking to the press at the scene.
The highway, a critical artery linking Kenya’s capital to its main port, saw vehicles stuck for hours in both directions. Travellers were forced to wait in long queues as authorities worked to clear the wreckage.
Emergency crews, including traffic police and rescue teams, were deployed early in the morning. By midday, efforts were still underway to remove the mangled trucks and restore flow.
Motorists were urged to avoid the area entirely. Authorities advised those heading to Nairobi from the coast to take the Makindu–Wote–Machakos Junction route. Those travelling in the opposite direction were told to follow the same path in reverse.
Frustration and Delays
By late morning, dozens of frustrated passengers and drivers could be seen standing beside stranded buses and lorries. Some reported waiting for over five hours.
“I’ve missed my connecting bus in Nairobi,” said Simon Mwangi, a traveller who had been heading from Voi. “There’s no movement, no clear communication. It’s chaos.”
Long-distance truckers, whose vehicles often dominate the highway, expressed concern over the frequency of such incidents.
“This stretch between Emali and Masimba is known to be tricky,” said Joseph Otieno, a trailer driver who pulled over several kilometres from the crash site. “You’re on a bridge, it’s narrow, and when one vehicle swerves, there’s nowhere to go.”
Spotlight on Road Safety
The accident has renewed questions around highway safety and infrastructure maintenance. The Nairobi-Mombasa route, vital for both domestic travel and freight, has been plagued by accidents in recent years many involving heavy trucks and buses.
Transport authorities have acknowledged the challenges. In a recent audit, sections of the highway were marked as high-risk, particularly those around Emali, Salama and Mtito Andei.
Police and highway patrols have stepped up enforcement, but with increasing traffic and aging road designs, critics say more lasting solutions are needed.
What’s Next
Police said investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash. Weather conditions were clear at the time, ruling out visibility issues.
“We urge all drivers, especially those operating heavy vehicles, to exercise maximum caution,” said Mr Nyaga. “And for the public’s safety, we continue to ask them to avoid the area until the road is fully cleared.”
By late afternoon, traffic was still crawling as recovery efforts continued. For now, one of Kenya’s most vital lifelines remains tangled in metal, mourning yet another life lost on the road.