The accident, which occurred on Monday near Karai centre along the Naivasha highway, involved a Greenline bus travelling from Western Kenya to Nairobi and a matatu heading in the opposite direction.
Six adults and three children lost their lives in the collision, while several others sustained injuries of varying severity.
As the painful process of identifying the deceased got underway at the Naivasha Sub-County Hospital mortuary, survivors and relatives of the victims recounted chilling moments leading up to the crash, placing blame on excessive speeding and poor enforcement of road safety regulations.
One of the survivors, Faith Auma, narrated how passengers repeatedly pleaded with the bus driver to slow down, warning him that his driving put lives at risk.
As the painful process of identifying the deceased got underway at the Naivasha Sub-County Hospital mortuary, survivors and relatives of the victims recounted chilling moments leading up to the crash, placing blame on excessive speeding and poor enforcement of road safety regulations.
One of the survivors, Faith Auma, narrated how passengers repeatedly pleaded with the bus driver to slow down, warning him that his driving put lives at risk.
According to Auma, the driver dismissed their concerns, insisting he was racing against time.
“Many passengers went to him and begged him to reduce speed, but he ignored us and said he had a deadline to meet,” she said. “When he attempted a dangerous overtake, the bus rammed into an oncoming matatu. That is how I lost my three-year-old son.”
Auma, who escaped the crash with minor injuries, said the pain of losing her only child is unbearable, adding that the tragedy could have been avoided had the driver listened to the passengers’ warnings.
Other grieving relatives echoed her sentiments, turning their anger toward the Ministry of Transport and agencies tasked with regulating public service vehicles.
“Many passengers went to him and begged him to reduce speed, but he ignored us and said he had a deadline to meet,” she said. “When he attempted a dangerous overtake, the bus rammed into an oncoming matatu. That is how I lost my three-year-old son.”
Auma, who escaped the crash with minor injuries, said the pain of losing her only child is unbearable, adding that the tragedy could have been avoided had the driver listened to the passengers’ warnings.
Other grieving relatives echoed her sentiments, turning their anger toward the Ministry of Transport and agencies tasked with regulating public service vehicles.
Joseph Kundu, who lost a family member in the accident, said road carnage has become a daily occurrence in Kenya, yet authorities appear powerless or unwilling to act decisively.
“Speeding, drunk driving and reckless overtaking are now normal among bus drivers,” Kundu said.
“Speeding, drunk driving and reckless overtaking are now normal among bus drivers,” Kundu said.
“The Ministry of Transport has completely failed Kenyans. People are dying every day and nothing changes.”
He further noted that accidents tend to increase during school opening periods, when buses rush to ferry passengers overnight, often ignoring safety rules.
Gabriel Juma, another bereaved relative, questioned the effectiveness of enforcement operations by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and traffic police officers.
He further noted that accidents tend to increase during school opening periods, when buses rush to ferry passengers overnight, often ignoring safety rules.
Gabriel Juma, another bereaved relative, questioned the effectiveness of enforcement operations by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and traffic police officers.
He claimed many public service vehicles with mechanical defects deliberately operate at night to avoid inspections.
“Some of these buses are not roadworthy,” Juma said.
“Some of these buses are not roadworthy,” Juma said.
“They travel at night to escape police checks, and innocent passengers end up paying the price with their lives.”
The tragedy has also left families mourning young victims whose futures were cut short. Augustine Mucheke, fighting back tears, described the devastation of losing his 14-year-old niece, who was travelling from Kimilili to Nairobi.
“This is one of the darkest days of my life,” Mucheke said. “She was a bright child with dreams, and now she is gone because of a road accident that should never have happened.”
Road safety advocates have long warned that lax enforcement, corruption and pressure on drivers to meet tight schedules continue to fuel deadly crashes on Kenyan highways.
The tragedy has also left families mourning young victims whose futures were cut short. Augustine Mucheke, fighting back tears, described the devastation of losing his 14-year-old niece, who was travelling from Kimilili to Nairobi.
“This is one of the darkest days of my life,” Mucheke said. “She was a bright child with dreams, and now she is gone because of a road accident that should never have happened.”
Road safety advocates have long warned that lax enforcement, corruption and pressure on drivers to meet tight schedules continue to fuel deadly crashes on Kenyan highways.
Despite regular announcements of crackdowns and safety campaigns, fatal accidents involving buses and matatus remain frequent.
As investigations into the Naivasha crash continue, affected families are calling for tougher action against reckless drivers, stricter inspections of public service vehicles and accountability from transport authorities.
For those mourning their loved ones, justice and reform cannot come soon enough.
“No family should go through this kind of pain,” Auma said.
As investigations into the Naivasha crash continue, affected families are calling for tougher action against reckless drivers, stricter inspections of public service vehicles and accountability from transport authorities.
For those mourning their loved ones, justice and reform cannot come soon enough.
“No family should go through this kind of pain,” Auma said.
“If nothing changes, more lives will be lost.”
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