The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has dispatched a multi-disciplinary crash investigation team to Salama in Makueni County following a multi-vehicle collision early Saturday that left 17 people dead and several others injured along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.
The accident occurred shortly after midnight at about 12:10 a.m. on October 3 at the Mlima Kiu stretch in Salama, a known accident blackspot. According to police reports, a truck travelling from Nairobi towards Mombasa allegedly failed to keep to its lane while overtaking other vehicles.
The vehicle lost control, triggering a chain of collisions involving a 14-seater matatu, other lorries, and private cars.
Police said the matatu driver and 12 passengers died at the scene, along with the truck driver and three of its occupants, bringing the death toll to 17.
Several other people sustained injuries and were rushed to Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital for treatment.
Many of the victims were identified as pilgrims from St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church, Mikindani Parish, who were travelling from Mombasa to the National Shrine in Subukia for the National Prayer Day.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa later released the names of the deceased, who included 14 women and three men.
In a statement, NTSA said the investigation team was sent to support the National Police Service in establishing the full circumstances of the crash, including vehicle inspection and compliance checks.
The authority noted that the Mlima Kiu-Salama stretch has long been recognised as a dangerous section of the highway and that recommendations to improve safety along the corridor had previously been made.
NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa urged motorists to exercise extreme caution, avoid dangerous overtaking, and strictly observe lane discipline while investigations continue.
The authority also extended its condolences to the families and friends of those affected by the tragedy.
The probe is expected to examine the roadworthiness of the vehicles involved and other factors that may have contributed to the fatal collision.
Add Comment