NAIROBI, Kenya — Two people were killed and another injured in a fiery collision involving two trucks on the Mombasa–Nairobi highway early Monday, police have confirmed.
The crash occurred at about 4:00am at Mto Mawe, a section of the busy corridor linking the port city of Mombasa to the capital, Nairobi.
The impact triggered a blaze that engulfed the vehicles and caused a traffic gridlock lasting more than five hours.
Firefighters from Machakos and Nairobi counties were deployed to contain the flames, as motorists remained stranded along the highway, a critical artery for regional trade and passenger transport.
How the crash happened
Witnesses said one lorry travelling towards Nairobi was rammed from behind by another truck moving in the same direction, sparking explosions moments after the collision.
Anthony Mwangi, a long-distance driver who was at the scene, criticised what he described as delays in emergency response, suggesting more could have been salvaged.
He said one of the containers might have been saved had firefighters arrived sooner.
The injured survivor was rushed to hospital, though authorities have not released details about their condition.
Machakos County Police Commander Monica Kimani confirmed the incident and said investigations into the cause of the crash were under way.
Road safety concerns
The Mombasa–Nairobi highway is among Kenya’s busiest transport corridors, carrying thousands of heavy commercial vehicles daily from the Port of Mombasa into the hinterland and neighbouring countries.
Accidents involving trucks are common, often attributed to driver fatigue, speeding, mechanical failure, and poor visibility during early morning hours.
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Data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) shows that road crashes remain a leading cause of death in Kenya, with thousands of fatalities recorded annually.
Heavy commercial vehicles account for a significant proportion of serious accidents on major highways.
Authorities have repeatedly urged motorists to observe speed limits, maintain safe distances, and ensure vehicles are roadworthy, particularly along high-risk stretches such as Mto Mawe.
Traffic along the highway gradually resumed after emergency teams cleared the wreckage later in the morning.
