The wreckage of the vehicle after the accident/HANDOUT

Twenty-two people have been confirmed dead, and several others were injured following a head-on collision involving a bus and a lorry along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.

The accident occurred at around 7 am on Sunday in the Kanga area, past Mtito Andei, according to officials.

The crash brought traffic to a standstill along the busy highway as travellers and passersby gathered near the scene.

Makueni County Commissioner Abdullahi Khalif confirmed the deaths, saying several other passengers sustained injuries in the collision.

The bus was reportedly ferrying passengers returning from a burial ceremony when it collided head-on with the lorry.

The injured were rushed to Mtito Andei Sub-County Hospital, where they are receiving treatment, while the bodies of those who died were taken to the hospital’s mortuary.

Sources told The Star that the casualties were occupants of a bus that was travelling from Mombasa general direction towards Nairobi when the accident occurred in Kanga area, Kibwezi East Sub-County.

Some of the passengers reportedly died on the spot while others succumbed to injuries while being attended to at Mtito Andei Sub-County Hospital.

Mtito Andei Sub-County Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Kevin Wamalwa said the accident happened between 7 am and 8 am.

"It is a serious accident. We are attending to those who have survived," Wamalwa told reporters.

Wamalwa said he received a phone call about the accident immediately after he got to the facility, some minutes to 8 am.

"We are compiling a list of casualties. Some died while undergoing treatment," Wamalwa said.

The cause of the accident had not been established by the time of publication. The highway is marked as one of the leading causes of fatal accidents in the country.

Two weeks ago, 17 people were killed on the same highway in an accident involving multiple cars.

The latest tragedy comes as the National Police Service (NPS) and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) intensify a nationwide public sensitisation campaign targeting road users ahead of the December festive season.

The campaign seeks to promote road safety and reduce accidents, which have historically increased during the holiday period as millions of Kenyans travel to their rural homes and various holiday destinations to celebrate Christmas with family and friends.

During the festive season, some drivers have been accused of reckless driving and speeding as they attempt to reach destinations faster or make additional trips to maximise earnings amid increased demand for transport.

Such practices, coupled with inadequate rest, can cause driver fatigue and increase the risk of crashes, putting passengers and other road users in danger.

Official figures cited in the campaign indicate that more than 415 people died in road traffic crashes during the 2025 festive season, representing a 23 per cent increase compared with the 2024 holiday period.

The police and NTSA are seeking to reverse the trend through public awareness campaigns and heightened road safety enforcement, with the aim of reducing fatalities and injuries during this year’s festive season.

Authorities have repeatedly urged motorists to observe speed limits, avoid dangerous overtaking, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and take sufficient rest before embarking on long journeys.

The latest crash adds to concerns over road safety on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, one of the country’s busiest transport corridors, particularly as travel volumes are expected to rise in the coming weeks.

Fatal accidents have been on the rise amid efforts to address them. Officials say some of the accidents are avoidable and caused by human errors.

Officials say reckless overtaking, speeding, and drunk driving remain among the leading causes of road accidents across the country, continuing to claim lives despite sustained public safety campaigns by National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

Mechanical failures from poorly maintained vehicles, including worn tyres and faulty brakes, have also been identified as significant contributors to the growing number of crashes. In addition to driver negligence, poor road conditions such as potholes, confusing signage, and inadequate lighting make travel increasingly hazardous, particularly at night.