In a condolence message, Ruto described the accident as a devastating loss for the affected families and the country, extending his sympathies to the relatives

President William Ruto/PCS

President William Ruto has mourned 23 people killed in a road accident at Kanga near Mtito Andei along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway in Makueni County.

The President has directed authorities to conduct thorough inspections of public service vehicles.

“This is a painful and devastating loss for the families and for the nation. We share in your grief during this difficult time, and we pray for strength and comfort for the families,” he said.

The President also wished those injured in the accident a quick recovery as he called on motorists to exercise caution on the roads.

Ruto urged public service vehicle drivers to observe traffic regulations and prioritise the safety of passengers and other road users.

“I take this opportunity to urge all drivers, especially those operating public service vehicles, to exercise utmost caution and observe traffic rules to safeguard lives,” he said.

He directed relevant authorities to ensure public service vehicles undergo thorough inspections to establish whether they comply with required safety standards.

“I further direct all relevant authorities to ensure thorough inspection of public service vehicles to guarantee compliance with safety standards so that accidents can be eliminated,” Ruto said.

The directive comes amid renewed calls for greater caution among motorists and stricter enforcement of road safety regulations following the fatal crash.

On Sunday, twenty-two people were 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.

This is even as the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) urged the government to declare road traffic crashes a national disaster, citing the deaths of more than 5,000 people annually and the growing strain on families, hospitals and the economy.

The authority said Kenya records about 20,000 road crashes every year, describing the toll as a national emergency requiring urgent government intervention.

NTSA Director General said declaring road crashes a national disaster would help mobilise government action, secure adequate funding and coordinate enforcement efforts across different sectors.

The proposed declaration would bring together road agencies, the National Police Service, the health sector and county governments under a coordinated framework with clear accountability and measurable targets.

The authority said a whole-of-government approach was necessary to reduce fatalities and serious injuries, while ensuring that institutions responsible for road safety work towards shared objectives.

“Road safety is not just a transport issue; it is a national development and security priority,” the authority said.

NTSA said the ultimate goal was to save lives, protect families and safeguard the country's human capital by preventing avoidable road deaths and injuries.