A devastating accident involving multiple vehicles on Nairobi’s Southern Bypass resulted in the deaths of at least two people on Tuesday morning. The crash, which occurred at around 6:30 am near the Ole Sereni area, also left three others with serious injuries, according to police reports.
The incident began when the driver of a lorry traveling from Kikuyu lost control of the vehicle, crossed into the opposite lane, and collided with an oncoming trailer. The impact of the collision affected three other vehicles traveling behind the trailer, witnesses said.
The crash led to a fire that engulfed the vehicles involved. Both drivers were killed instantly, with one burned beyond recognition, confirmed National Police spokesperson Dr. Resla Onyango. Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene, rescuing passengers who had been trapped in the wreckage.
“We are investigating how and why it happened,” stated Dr. Onyango. Firefighters were dispatched to extinguish the flames, while police redirected traffic from the Mombasa Road direction, resulting in a significant traffic jam.
This latest incident adds to the alarming number of road fatalities in Kenya, where up to 4,000 people are killed annually in various accidents. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has identified leading causes of these fatal crashes, including hit-and-runs, tyre bursts, and loss of vehicle control. Improper overtaking and failure to maintain the correct lane also contribute significantly to head-on collisions.
In response to the increasing number of accidents, police and other agencies are actively campaigning for improved road safety measures to reduce these tragic incidents.