An Eldoret-bound bus operated by Mash Poa was set ablaze by boda boda riders after it was involved in an accident that killed a rider.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, December 22, 2025, at Salgaa along the Nakuru–Eldoret highway, leaving hundreds of motorists and passengers stranded in traffic.
According to eyewitnesses, angry boda boda operators torched the bus following the fatal accident involving one of their colleagues. All passengers aboard the bus, however, escaped unhurt.
Boda Boda Riders Torch Mash Poa Bus
Regional police confirmed the incident, noting that the driver of the bus was attempting to overtake at the scene before the fatal collision.
Witnesses said some riders smashed the bus windows before setting it on fire, forcing pedestrians to flee the scene. The bus driver reportedly escaped unharmed, while traffic remained at a standstill for more than two hours.
“One Mash Poa bus was in a rush. It sped past us while overlapping recklessly,” one witness said.
Another eyewitness claimed that the motorcyclist may have been riding under the influence, saying it appeared he collided head-on with the oncoming bus.
At the time of the incident, the bus was travelling from Nairobi to Eldoret.
Also Read: Two Feared Dead as Boda Boda Riders Torch Another Car after Accident
Following the incident, the Motorists Association of Kenya issued a statement condemning the attack and urging authorities to prosecute those responsible swiftly.
“This Mash Poa bus should be the last vehicle ever torched by boda boda riders. Mash Poa buses are rarely involved in road crashes despite covering long distances, and their drivers are known for courtesy and professionalism. This incident is sad and unacceptable,” the statement read, calling on the DCI and National Police Service to act.
The Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association also condemned the incident, urging police to intervene.
“Boda boda riders this morning burned a Mash Poa bus at Salgaa, just metres from Salgaa Police Station. Kwani hawa watu wamewashinda?” the association said in a statement.
Additionally, Dr. Rajesh called for the arrest of the riders involved in torching the bus.
“A Mash Poa bus was set ablaze after colliding with a boda boda rider who later died. This happened at night along the Nakuru–Mau Summit section, resulting in a massive traffic jam. While we mourn the rider, these thugs must be stopped,” he said.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has on several occasions condemned the torching of vehicles following road accidents, describing it as an emerging security threat fueled by criminal elements infiltrating the boda boda sector.
He has warned that such acts are often organized and that those involved will face prosecution.
About Mash Poa
Mash Poa is a prominent long-distance bus operator founded in 2002 that serves routes across Kenya and East Africa.
Also Read: Murkomen Orders Crackdown on Boda Boda Gangs After Matatu Torched in Vihiga
Some of its routes include Nairobi to Mombasa (coastal route), Nairobi to Kisumu, Eldoret, Kakamega, Kisii, Malindi, and Busia, as well as international trips to Kampala (Uganda). Some services extend to Rwanda and Tanzania.
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