A tragic multiple-vehicle accident occurred at Mlima Kiu in Salama, Kilome, along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway early on October 3, 2026. The crash involved a matatu and several trucks, resulting in the deaths of 17 people. According to police, the accident happened at about 12:10 am when a Howo Sinotruk traveling from Nairobi towards Mombasa failed to keep to its proper lane while overtaking a fleet of vehicles.
The Sinotruk driver rammed into the rear right side of a Hino, causing a chain of accidents. The impact led to the Sinotruk colliding sideways with an oncoming Peugeot and a Toyota Noah. The truck then swerved into the climbing lane, where it collided head-on with a Toyota Hiace PSV matatu. The out-of-control truck was subsequently stopped after colliding with a Nissan UD traveling from Mombasa towards Nairobi.
The driver of the matatu and 12 passengers died at the scene. The driver of the Sinotruk, identified as Shijire, and three passengers traveling in the truck also died on the spot. Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Stephen Mwangangi confirmed that 17 people had died in the crash, describing it as a chain of accidents.
Dr. Mwangangi provided further details on the accident, stating that it involved a 14-seater matatu headed towards Nairobi and a lorry. A lorry rammed into another lorry, causing a chain of accidents that resulted in a head-on collision between the matatu and the lorry. Seven injured people were admitted to Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital, with six suffering soft tissue injuries and later being treated and discharged.
One of the lorry drivers was rushed to hospital after sustaining severe head and abdominal injuries. He was stabilized and referred to Makueni County Referral Hospital. Dr. Mwangangi reported that 14 bodies were in the hospital's mortuary, while three other bodies were taken to another mortuary within the area.
Eastern Regional Police Commander Stephen Chebet stated that they were investigating the tragedy. He urged motorists to be cautious on the roads, expressing sadness over the number of lives lost. Police officers documented the scene before the damaged vehicles were towed to Salama Police Station yard, where they will be detained pending inspection as investigations continue.
The accident caused a heavy traffic snarl along the busy highway, with police officers and emergency responders rushing to the scene to assist the injured and process the scene. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for motorists to exercise caution while driving.
Key points
- 17 people killed in a multiple-vehicle crash on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway
- The accident involved a matatu and several trucks, with seven injured people taken to hospital
- Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing, with police urging motorists to be cautious on the roads
