A fatal road accident occurred at Salama in Makueni County along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway on the night of October 2, claiming the lives of 17 people at the scene, Makueni County Police Commander Kirima confirmed.
Medical Superintendent at Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital Stephen Mwangangi said on October 3, all 14 occupants of the matatu died at the scene after it collided with a trailer, which also claimed the lives of three people travelling in the heavy vehicle.
Mwangangi said six survivors were treated and discharged from the facility, while one driver who suffered serious injuries was referred to Makueni County Referral Hospital for specialised treatment.
The Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association of Kenya said the accident caused a heavy traffic snarl-up along the highway, with delays reported on the morning of October 3.
The association urged motorists to exercise caution on the road by slowing down, remaining alert and avoiding risky overtaking.
“A fatal road accident occurred on the night of 2nd October at Salama along the Mombasa Road, reportedly claiming the lives of 17 people at the scene. The accident has caused a heavy traffic snarl-up along the highway, with delays being experienced as of this morning,” read part of the statement.
According to reports, the accident occurred after a lorry reportedly lost control following brake failure and rammed into several vehicles, including a 14-seater matatu.
Those injured were rushed to Sultan Hamud Hospital for treatment as the vehicles were towed away from the scene.
17 Killed After Fatal Crash at Salama Along Nairobi-Mombasa Road
The Archdiocese of Mombasa has confirmed the deaths of 17 pilgrims from St. Mathias Mulumba Parish, Mikindani, who were travelling to the National Shrine in Subukia for the National Prayer Day.
According to Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde, the pilgrims died in a road accident at Salama as they travelled to the event.
The Archbishop conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased, the parish and the wider Archdiocese of Mombasa, urging the faithful to pray for the repose of the victims’ souls.
“We are saddened with lots of grief to announce the untimely passing on of seventeen (17) pilgrims from St. Mathias Mulumba, Mikindani, in an accident that occurred at Salama. The pilgrims were on their way to the National Shrine, Subukia, for the National Prayer Day ( NPD),” read part of the statement.
Photos seen by The Kenya Times show a severely damaged white matatu lying on its side following the nighttime accident.
The vehicle’s roof and body are badly crushed, with shattered windows and mud and debris covering much of the wreckage.
Several emergency responders and bystanders, some wearing reflective safety jackets, were seen near the scene as vehicles with headlights illuminated the area.
In a video, police officers were seen towing the lorry and matatu off the road in the dark, with debris scattered around the scene and the wreckage lying along the roadside.
Also Read: Key Routes and Locations Where Fatal Accidents Happen When Travelling to Mombasa Revealed
Another Fatal Accident That Happened On the Same Route
The latest accident comes months after a separate crash in the ACK Salama area along the Mombasa–Nairobi Highway in Makueni County left seven people dead and 27 others seriously injured.
The accident occurred at around 9:30pm on Sunday, June 8, and involved four vehicles, including a bus, a trailer and two private vehicles.
Mukaa Sub-County Police Commander Hussein Abduba confirmed the crash, which involved a PSV bus and a lorry.
The fatalities included four men and three women who were on the bus.
Also Read: Family Members Die In Accident Hours After Police Pass Out
The latest accident adds to concerns over road safety along major highways and accident-prone corridors in the country. In Mombasa, the Mombasa-Nairobi Road, Mombasa-Malindi Road and Makupa Causeway were identified as key accident hotspots in the Mombasa Road Safety Report 2025.
The report recorded 65 deaths on the Mombasa-Nairobi Road, the highest number among the corridors assessed, followed by 44 deaths on the Mombasa-Malindi Road and 21 on Makupa Causeway.
Likoni-Ukunda Road recorded 16 deaths, while the Portreitz-Airport corridor had nine deaths, completing the top five corridors with the highest number of fatalities.
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