MAKUENI, Kenya — Survivors of the Kalembwani road accident in Makueni County have recounted the terrifying moments before a 46-seater matatu lost control and plunged into a steep valley, killing seven people and injuring dozens more.
The crash occurred on Friday night, August 14, 2026, as the passengers travelled from Nthongoni village in Kibwezi East to Ikangavya village in Nzaui Sub-County to attend a family function.
Seven passengers died at the scene, while 68 others were injured and taken to different health facilities for treatment.
The accident turned what was expected to be a family gathering into a tragedy, with relatives and survivors left mourning those who died.
Survivor says matatu ran out of fuel
One of the survivors, Samuel Kisyang’a, said the vehicle ran out of fuel shortly before the crash, causing its lights to go off and making it difficult for the driver to see the road.
Kisyang’a, who suffered injuries to his hand and leg, said he managed to jump out of the vehicle moments before it plunged down the steep valley.
He blamed the driver for what he described as a preventable crash.
“The accident was avoidable, but the driver risked our lives when he left the vehicle on a free drive. We regret losing so many members of our family,” Kisyang’a said.
His account, however, differs from that of the driver.
Driver blames brake failure
The driver, Joseph Mumo, who was also injured and admitted to Makueni County Referral Hospital, attributed the crash to brake failure.
Mumo was driving the passengers to Ikangavya for a family function when the vehicle lost control and rolled down the escarpment.
Police investigations are expected to establish what caused the crash, including whether mechanical failure, fuel shortage, driver error or other factors contributed to the accident.
Survivor describes moments before crash
Another survivor, Rose Mueni, who sustained head and right-hand injuries, said the matatu rolled down a steep slope before coming to rest in the valley.
Mueni said she lost consciousness during the crash and only regained awareness after rescuers had arrived.
“I went unconscious, but people came to our rescue. I regained consciousness when we were being put into an ambulance,” she said.
She said the group was approaching their destination when the accident occurred.
The passengers had been travelling together to attend the family event, making the loss particularly devastating for those involved.
37 patients discharged
Medical teams treating the survivors said most of the injuries were not life-threatening.
At Makueni County Referral Hospital, 37 patients had been treated and discharged with medication, according to hospital officials.
The facility’s orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Kelvin Maweu, said the discharged patients had suffered soft-tissue injuries and did not require continued admission.
Four other patients remained admitted at the facility for further treatment.
Makueni County Chief Officer for Health Services Dr Harvey Mulei said the county mobilised four ambulances immediately after receiving reports of the crash.
“We received victims of an accident that took place in a place called Kalembwani. We were informed by the community that there was an accident and we took immediate action,” Mulei said.
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He said 28 victims were taken to Makueni Sub-County Hospital, a Level Four facility near the crash scene, while 36 others were referred to Makueni County Referral Hospital.
Seven people were confirmed dead at the scene.
Mulei said there had been no further deaths after the victims were taken to hospital and that none of those admitted required intensive care.
Investigations into crash continue
The conflicting accounts from the driver and survivors leave the exact circumstances of the crash to be established through investigations.
Authorities are expected to examine the vehicle’s mechanical condition and reconstruct the circumstances leading to the crash.
The accident has renewed concerns about road safety, particularly the dangers posed by overloaded or poorly maintained public service vehicles and driving on steep or difficult road sections.
For the families travelling to what was meant to be a celebration, however, the journey ended in tragedy, with seven lives lost and dozens of others left injured.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
