Several people are feared dead following a grisly road accident along Mombasa Road near Syokimau, on the night of August 21.
According to the preliminary reports, emergency and rescue teams were called to the scene as efforts to assist victims and clear the affected section of the road got underway.
Concerned members of the public have also been urged to check on relatives, friends, and loved ones who may have been traveling along Mombasa Road near Syokimau when the accident occurred and confirm their safety.
Eyewitnesses at the scene were seen trying to evacuate the injured at the scene as they awaited the emergency responders.
Despite efforts to rescue those injured in the accident, members of the public have criticized the delay in emergency responders reaching the scene.
Citizens at the scene complained that the responders were delayed after being contacted for the rescue mission.
Others hoped casualties would be minimal and that survivors would receive urgent medical attention.
Motorists using the route were also urged to use caution and allow emergency responders unobstructed access to the affected area.
As rescue operations continued, Kenyans on social media shared messages of condolence, prayers, and support for those affected by the tragedy.
Many called for improved road safety measures and faster emergency response services to help reduce fatalities resulting from road accidents.
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Members of the Public Criticize Emergency Responders Following Mombasa Road and Similar Accidents
The Mombasa Road tragedy comes amid growing concerns about delays in emergency response and the cost of accessing emergency medical services following road accidents in Kenya.
In a recent incident on August 20 along Thika Road near the Roysambu Roundabout, a boda boda rider and his passenger, who had been involved in a serious crash, reportedly remained by the roadside for more than two hours as fellow riders, members of the public and a traffic police officer sought help.
Despite repeated calls to several private ambulance providers and nearby hospitals, emergency assistance did not arrive immediately.
According to accounts from the scene, one ambulance provider allegedly demanded KSh15, 000 before dispatching an ambulance, while other services declined to respond altogether.
The victims were eventually assisted after a call to SHA Emergency Ambulance Services, which dispatched an ambulance to the scene.
The incident sparked renewed debate about the accessibility and affordability of emergency medical services, with calls for private ambulance operators to respond to genuine emergencies without demanding upfront payment.
Observers have since urged the Ministry of Health to develop policies requiring ambulance providers to prioritize lifesaving interventions during emergencies.
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NTSA Accident Statistics
According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), 2,150 people have died in road accidents across Kenya since 2026, an 11 percent increase from 2025.
“We have 2,150 people who died on the roads this year, which is an increase of around 11 percent from last year, and of these, around 836 are pedestrians. They form the majority, followed by motorcyclists. We have 188 drivers who have died on the road,” NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa noted.
Kondiwa clarified that pedestrians continue to account for the highest number of fatalities, with approximately 836 deaths recorded among the group so far this year.
Motorcyclists remain the second most affected category, while 188 drivers have also died in road crashes.
NTSA statistics show that between January 1 and January 30, 2026, at least 398 people were killed in road crashes, compared to 358 deaths in 2025.
Additionally, the authorities recorded 854 accidents involving 2,032 victims.
Police and NTSA records indicate that pedestrians remain the most vulnerable road users, accounting for between 36 and 37 percent of all road fatalities nationally.
In January alone, 143 pedestrians, 102 motorcyclists, 77 passengers, and 38 drivers lost their lives in separate road crashes across the country.
According to the authority, the rise in accidents is largely attributed to speeding, reckless overtaking, poor lane discipline, loss of vehicle control, and unsafe road crossing practices.
Beyond the loss of lives, NTSA estimates that road accidents cost Kenya approximately Sh450 billion annually in lost economic productivity.
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