The death toll from the fatal collision involving a church bus and a lorry-trailer along the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway has risen to 24 after another victim succumbed to injuries sustained in the Sunday morning crash.
The accident occurred at around 7:45 a.m. on October 25, 2026, in the Kanga area near Mtito Andei, involving a bus belonging to Power of the Word Church International and a lorry-trailer.
The bus was carrying 45 passengers travelling from Western Kenya towards Mombasa after attending a burial ceremony when it collided head-on with the heavy commercial vehicle.
Initial reports indicated that 23 people had died in the crash, comprising 12 women, 10 men and one juvenile. The latest fatality raises the number of people confirmed dead to 24 as authorities continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
At least 25 other passengers sustained injuries of varying severity in the collision. The injured were rushed to Mtito Andei Hospital for treatment, with some reported to be in critical condition.
Preliminary accounts from witnesses suggested that the bus may have been overtaking several vehicles shortly before the collision. However, investigators are yet to establish the precise cause of the crash, and the circumstances surrounding the suspected overtaking manoeuvre remain subject to investigation.
The accident has renewed concerns over road safety along the busy Nairobi–Mombasa Highway, a major transport corridor used by passenger vehicles, private motorists and heavy commercial trucks.
Head-on collisions involving heavy vehicles often result in devastating consequences because of the force of impact, particularly where vehicles collide at high speeds.
Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances leading to the crash, including the movement of the vehicles before impact and whether any traffic offences contributed to the accident.
The latest fatality adds to the grief of families and the congregation affected by the tragedy, with the church bus having been ferrying members returning from a burial ceremony.
The death toll remains subject to updates as authorities confirm the condition of the injured and release further information on the victims.
