Fatal Accident Involving 3 Lorries Causes Huge Traffic Snarl up along Nairobi-Mombasa Highway
- A deadly crash involving three lorries near Jet Inn on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway caused major traffic delays between Emali and Masimba and resulted in one fatality
- Residents in the area rushed to the scene alongside emergency responders to assist those affected by the accident
- Authorities urged drivers to be patient, follow lane discipline, and take alternate routes to help reduce traffic congestion and enhance road safety
Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya
A dramatic crash involving three lorries on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway has triggered a severe traffic jam, leaving drivers stuck in a tense and chaotic standstill.
Source: Facebook
How many people died in Mombasa-Nairobi accident?
The serious accident involving multiple vehicles resulted in the death of one individual and left another person with critical injuries.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene to provide medical assistance and manage the situation.
In a statement issued on Friday, May 30, the National Police Service informed the public of severe traffic congestion between Emali and Masimba on the busy Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.
NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said the jam resulted from a fatal crash involving three trailers that collided on a railway bridge near Jet Inn, completely blocking the roadway.
"NPS is working with relevant agencies to restore normal traffic flow. Additional police officers have been deployed to the area and will take stern action against anyone violating traffic rules," Muchiri said.
Muchiri urged motorists to remain patient amid the heavy traffic and emphasised the importance of maintaining proper lane discipline to ensure smooth flow and prevent further accidents.
He also encouraged drivers to consider alternative routes where possible to help reduce congestion on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway and improve overall road safety for all travellers.
"Mombasa-bound traffic should consider using the Machakos-Wote-Makindu route, while Nairobi-bound traffic can use the Makindu-Wote-Machakos route. NPS reaffirms its steadfast commitment to maintaining law and order on our roads," Muchiri added.
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Death reported following accident in Embu
In a separate incident, a deadly crash on the Embu-Nairobi Highway late Wednesday, January 15 left one person dead and two others seriously injured.
The collision occurred around 8:30 pm near the Sewage area and involved a lorry carrying maize, another transporting firewood, and a Tahmeed Bus Company vehicle.
Eyewitnesses reported that one lorry, heading toward Nairobi, suffered brake failure and collided with a second lorry that was stopped at a roadblock for inspection by Embu county enforcement officers.
One of the drivers was found dead at the scene, while the other was immediately transported to a nearby county hospital in critical condition.
The driver’s identity had not been released pending notification of family members.
Source: Facebook
Francis Ndirangu, who coordinates the Kirimari Ward Rescue Team, said that despite the severity of the crash, none of the passengers on the Tahmeed bus sustained injuries.
The bus was reportedly able to come to a stop safely after the collision.
Authorities launched an investigation into the incident, focusing on the mechanical failure that led to the initial loss of control.
Traffic was temporarily disrupted on the highway during the rescue operation, but was later restored.
The tragic accident raised concerns about vehicle maintenance and road safety enforcement along this busy corridor, which connects Embu town to the capital city, Nairobi.
What is NTSA doing to reduce road accidents?
The National Transport and Safety Authority is implementing a raft of measures to curb rampant cases of road accidents in the country.
Some of the interventions include regular inspection of Public Service Vehicles (PSVs), retraining of drivers, the use of digital cameras to monitor speeding, a crackdown on drunk drivers, and public awareness and sensitisation programmes.
This week, the authority conducted a three-day training session for PSV operators in the four counties: Kisumu, Kakamega, Uasin Gishu, and Kisii.
In addition to being trained on building the culture of compliance and road safety in general, the operators were also sensitised on motor vehicle inspection requirements for mechanical soundness, curriculum reforms in driving schools and the authority's advancement in regulatory technology such as Intelligent road safety management system.
The sessions brought together stakeholders from the county transport and safety committee representatives, the National Police Service, the regional county commissioners and other stakeholders in the respective regions.
Masolo Mabonga, HOD Current Affairs and Politics, updated this article with details on what NTSA is doing to reduce road accidents.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
