Nine Dead in Naivasha Highway Collision as Families Demand Government Action on Road Safety

Survivors and bereaved relatives criticize transport authorities following fatal crash involving passenger bus and matatu

NAIVASHA – Grieving families and survivors of Monday’s deadly road accident on the Naivasha highway have called out the Ministry of Transport over what they describe as inadequate measures to curb the rising number of fatal crashes across the country.

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The tragic collision between a Nairobi-bound Greenline bus and a passenger matatu near Karai center claimed nine lives, including three children, reigniting debate over road safety standards and enforcement of traffic regulations.

As relatives gathered at Naivasha sub-county hospital mortuary to identify their loved ones, survivors painted a disturbing picture of the moments leading to the crash. Faith Auma, who lost her three-year-old son in the accident, recounted desperate attempts by passengers to alert the bus driver about excessive speed.

“Multiple passengers approached the driver along the route requesting him to slow down, but he dismissed our concerns, stating he was operating under time constraints,” said Ms. Auma, who sustained minor injuries. “He overtook recklessly and collided with the oncoming matatu. I lost my only child.”

Joseph Kundu, whose relative perished in the crash, directed sharp criticism at transport authorities, arguing that insufficient regulatory oversight has allowed dangerous driving practices to flourish unchecked.

“Reckless speeding and impaired driving have become commonplace among public service vehicle operators,” Mr. Kundu stated. “We’re witnessing increased accidents during the school reopening period, yet the Ministry remains silent and inactive.”

Gabriel Juma, another bereaved family member, questioned the effectiveness of current enforcement mechanisms employed by the National Transport and Safety Authority and traffic police.

“Many of these vehicles operate in poor mechanical condition, which is precisely why they travel during nighttime hours to evade inspection,” Mr. Juma explained. “This practice is contributing directly to these preventable tragedies.”

The Western Kenya-originating bus was traveling overnight when the collision occurred, a timing pattern that survivors and families suggest reflects efforts by operators to circumvent daytime traffic enforcement.

Augustine Mucheke described profound grief over losing his 14-year-old niece, who was traveling from Kimilili to Nairobi when the accident occurred.

“This represents one of the most devastating moments of my life,” Mr. Mucheke said. “Losing a beloved niece to an accident that proper safety measures could have prevented is unbearable.”

The incident adds to mounting concerns about road safety in Kenya, particularly during peak travel periods when passenger numbers increase. Critics argue that current regulatory frameworks and enforcement strategies have proven insufficient to address persistent violations by public transport operators.

The Ministry of Transport had not issued a statement regarding the accident or the families’ allegations at the time of publication.

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