Karakacha said the recurring fatal accidents along the highway demanded urgent government intervention, warning operators could be forced to take action.

Matatu Owners Association president Albert Karakacha /HANDOUT

MATATU operators have threatened to close the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway unless the government urgently fixes the deadly Mtito Andei accident blackspot, following a crash that claimed 22 lives.

Matatu Owners Association president Albert Karakacha has called on President William Ruto to direct the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to take immediate action to improve road safety along the busy transport corridor.

The ultimatum follows a horrific crash on Sunday morning, October 25, at Kanga, near Mtito Andei, where a passenger bus collided head-on with a lorry at around 7am, killing 22 people and leaving several others seriously injured.

According to Makueni County Commissioner Abdullahi Khalif, the bus was ferrying passengers returning from a burial ceremony when the collision occurred.

“The government must treat this with the urgency it deserves. President Ruto must direct KeNHA to move with speed. We have lost too many lives on this stretch,” he said.

He said the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway was a critical economic artery connecting businesses, traders and travellers, with public service vehicles, private motorists and heavy commercial trucks relying on it daily.

However, persistent fatal crashes have heightened concerns about the safety of motorists and passengers using the route.

Karakacha called for improved road signage, expansion of the highway and comprehensive measures to eliminate the hazardous conditions contributing to accidents at the blackspot.

He said the continued loss of lives was unacceptable and urged the government to prioritise road safety before more families were affected.

The latest tragedy has renewed calls for authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and implement lasting interventions to prevent similar incidents.

The injured were rushed to Mtito Andei Sub-County Hospital and Makindu Hospital for emergency treatment.

Karakacha also conveyed his condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

The Nairobi-Mombasa Highway is one of Kenya’s most important transport routes, supporting passenger travel and the movement of goods between the Port of Mombasa, Nairobi and other regional markets.

The latest crash has once again brought the safety of the highway into sharp focus, with matatu operators demanding urgent action to prevent further loss of life.