23 killed as bus and tipper collide head-on near Mtito Andei, Kenya

A passenger bus and a cement tipper truck collided head-on at Kanga, near Mtito Andei on the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway in Makueni County, on the morning of 25 October, killing 23 people, The Star and Capital FM reported.

Capital FM reported that the dead were 12 women, 10 men and one juvenile, and that 25 survivors were injured, some of them critically. Makueni County Commissioner Abdullahi Khalif confirmed the deaths and said several other passengers were injured. The injured are being treated at Mtito Andei Sub-County Hospital and Kambu Level 4 Hospital, Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said.

The National Police Service said the bus was carrying 45 passengers from Western Kenya towards Mombasa after a burial ceremony. The bus belongs to Power of the Word Church International, Mombasa.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) said preliminary reports indicate the vehicles collided head-on and that improper overtaking may have contributed to the crash. Its crash investigation team is working with police to establish the full circumstances.

NTSA also asked the government to declare road crashes a national disaster. It said about 20,000 crashes a year claim more than 5,000 lives. "Road safety is not just a transport issue; it is a national development and security priority," the authority said.

In a condolence message, President William Ruto said: "This is a painful and devastating loss for the families and for the nation." He directed the relevant authorities to ensure thorough inspection of public service vehicles (PSVs) and urged all drivers, especially those operating PSVs, to be cautious and observe traffic rules.

Chirchir said: "We cannot continue treating road safety as business as usual." The ministry plans to strengthen the black spot management programme, step up enforcement against reckless overtaking and speeding, and pursue training and compliance measures for commercial and PSV operators. It will also engage Parliament, the Senate and the Judiciary, as appropriate, on the Commercial Vehicle Regulations 2026, the Vehicle Inspection Regulations 2026 and the School Transport Regulations 2026.

The crash came less than a month after 17 people died in another accident at Salama, Mtito Andei, on 3 October.