A morning journey turned tragic on Sunday after a church bus carrying dozens of passengers crashed head-on into an oncoming lorry at Kanga, beyond Mtito Andei, along the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway, leaving at least 22 people dead and several others injured.
The accident occurred on October 25, at around 7:00 to 7:45 a.m., according to reports citing local authorities. The bus, belonging to Power of the Word Church, was carrying 45 passengers travelling towards Mombasa when it collided with the truck.
Makueni County Commissioner Abdullahi Khalif said the bus driver was attempting to overtake several vehicles when the collision occurred. The impact severely damaged both vehicles, ripping away a substantial section of the bus's body.
The death toll initially stood at 20 before rising to 22 after two more victims succumbed to their injuries. Makueni health officials confirmed the fatalities, while survivors were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
According to reports, 16 patients were being treated at Mtito Andei Sub-County Hospital, while two others had been transferred to Makindu Sub-County Hospital for further medical attention.
Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. also confirmed the tragedy, expressing condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and saying survivors were receiving medical care.
The precise circumstances that led to the collision remain subject to investigation, although preliminary accounts indicate that an overtaking manoeuvre may have contributed to the crash.
The latest tragedy has renewed concerns over road safety along the busy Nairobi–Mombasa transport corridor, where fatal accidents continue to claim lives.
On October 3, at least 17 people died in a separate multiple-vehicle collision at Mlima Kiu in Salama, Makueni County. The earlier crash involved a passenger van, lorries and other vehicles, with authorities also citing an alleged dangerous overtaking manoeuvre in their preliminary account.
The two deadly incidents within the same month have intensified calls for greater caution among motorists, particularly on sections of the highway associated with serious collisions. Road safety authorities have repeatedly urged drivers to avoid dangerous overtaking, observe lane discipline and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy.