More than 50 passengers narrowly escaped death after a Tahmeed bus they were travelling in caught fire along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway between Makindu and Kiunduani markets.
The incident occurred as the bus was heading to Mombasa, leaving passengers scrambling to safety as flames engulfed the vehicle.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, with all passengers managing to escape before the fire completely destroyed the bus and the property it was carrying.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire may have been caused by a mechanical fault, although further investigations are expected to establish the exact circumstances that led to the incident.
The fire left passengers counting their losses after their luggage and other belongings were destroyed alongside the vehicle.
It was not immediately clear what triggered the suspected mechanical failure or which part of the bus was first affected by the fire.
The incident is likely to raise fresh concerns over road safety and the mechanical condition of public service vehicles, particularly those operating long-distance routes across the country.
The Nairobi-Mombasa Highway is one of Kenya's busiest transport corridors, connecting the capital to the coastal city and serving thousands of travellers and commercial vehicles daily.
Mechanical faults can pose serious risks when they occur while vehicles are in motion, particularly on busy highways where drivers may have limited time to respond to an emergency.
Although no casualties were reported in the Tahmeed bus incident, the destruction of the vehicle and passengers' belongings highlights the potential consequences of fires involving public transport.
Authorities are expected to establish the precise cause of the fire as investigations continue.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of regular vehicle inspections and proper maintenance in preventing mechanical failures that could endanger passengers.
For the more than 50 travellers involved, escaping without injuries was a relief, even as they faced the loss of their belongings and the disruption of their journey to Mombasa.
