MAKUENI, Kenya Seven people have died and 27 others sustained serious injuries following a grisly road traffic accident along the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway in Makueni County.
Police said the fatal crash occurred on Sunday night at Mlima Kiu near the ACK area in Salama, where multiple vehicles collided in circumstances that are still under investigation. The vehicles involved included a truck, a bus, two saloon cars, and a motorcycle.
According to police, all seven victims died on the spot. Emergency responders later rushed the injured to Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital for urgent medical attention, where several remain in critical condition.
Eyewitnesses said the scene was chaotic, with rescuers and motorists struggling to assist victims amid wreckage spread across the highway. The injured were later stabilized before being admitted for further treatment.
Police processed the scene and moved the bodies to a local mortuary pending identification and post-mortem examinations. The wreckage was towed to Salama Police Station for inspection as investigations continue.
Authorities have not yet established whether any of the drivers involved were among those who died in the crash.
The accident caused a major traffic snarl-up along the busy highway, with traffic officers working for hours to clear the congestion and restore movement along the corridor.
Mlima Kiu has long been identified as a black spot along the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway, with recurring fatal crashes linked to speeding, risky overtaking, and poor visibility, particularly at night.
The stretch has repeatedly drawn concern from residents and road safety stakeholders, who argue that little has been done to redesign or expand the road despite a history of deadly accidents.
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In a similar incident on February 21, 2026, five people were killed after a matatu belonging to Naekana Sacco collided head-on with a lorry during heavy rains in the same Salama area.
Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital continues to serve as the main referral point for accident victims along the corridor due to its proximity to crash-prone sections of the highway.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), alongside traffic police, has consistently urged motorists to exercise caution, avoid speeding, and refrain from dangerous overtaking, particularly along high-risk sections of the highway.
Investigations into the latest crash are ongoing.
