Several Injured After Lorry Rams Into Passenger Bus on Thika Road, Kenya

Several commuters sustained injuries on Monday morning after a heavy-duty lorry rammed into a passenger bus along the busy Thika Road in Nairobi, Kenya.

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According to local authorities, the crash occurred near the Safari Park area along the Nairobi-bound lane, one of the country’s most heavily used transport corridors.

The violent impact reportedly forced the passenger bus to overturn, leaving occupants trapped inside as emergency responders rushed to the scene. 

Police and rescue teams quickly evacuated injured passengers and transported them to nearby hospitals for treatment.

While the exact number of casualties has not yet been officially confirmed, witnesses described scenes of panic as motorists and bystanders assisted victims before emergency services arrived. 

Crash Triggered Major Traffic Gridlock

The collision immediately triggered massive traffic congestion along the superhighway, disrupting morning movement into Nairobi’s central business district.

Images from the scene showed the damaged bus lying on its side while the lorry veered toward roadside guardrails after the impact.

Authorities temporarily diverted vehicles to alternative routes as recovery operations continued. 

Traffic police later restored partial movement after towing operations cleared debris from the roadway.

Preliminary Cause: Speeding and Risky Overtaking

Initial investigations suggest that reckless overtaking or excessive speed may have contributed to the crash.

Witnesses also cited slippery road conditions caused by ongoing rainfall as a major risk factor at the time of the incident. 

Road safety officials in Kenya have repeatedly warned that aggressive driving behavior, especially among heavy commercial vehicle operators, remains one of the leading causes of highway crashes nationwide.

Mechanical failures and poor vehicle maintenance have also been identified as recurring contributors to road accidents across the country. 

Growing Road Safety Concerns in Kenya

The incident adds to a rising number of road crashes reported across Kenya in recent weeks.

Authorities say fatalities and injuries linked to speeding, driver fatigue, and unsafe overtaking continue to pose serious challenges despite ongoing enforcement campaigns.

The Thika Superhighway, an eight-lane express corridor linking Nairobi to industrial regions, was originally designed to improve mobility and reduce congestion.

However, high travel speeds combined with mixed traffic involving buses, private cars, and heavy trucks have increased crash risks when safety rules are ignored. 

RoadKing.ng Safety Perspective

This crash highlights a recurring global transport safety issue also common on Nigerian highways:

• Heavy trucks sharing lanes with passenger vehicles
• Dangerous overtaking maneuvers
• Reduced visibility during rain
• Driver impatience on high-speed corridors

For RoadKing readers, the lesson remains clear: speed management and lane discipline save lives. Highways are engineered for efficiency not recklessness.

Safety Reminder for Drivers

• Maintain safe following distance behind buses and trucks
• Avoid overtaking near interchanges or during rainfall
• Reduce speed on wet roads
• Ensure brake systems and tyres are roadworthy