A section of the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway was engulfed in heavy traffic on Tuesday morning following a multiple-truck accident near Makindu.
The incident, which occurred close to the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Makindu, involved at least four trucks that collided and blocked the highway.
Preliminary reports indicated that the trucks were likely speeding and following each other too closely, resulting in a collision and rear-end crashes among the heavy vehicles.
Witnesses at the scene noted that one of the trucks appeared to have lost control before slamming into oncoming traffic, sparking a chain reaction.
Images and videos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed one of the trucks carrying rolled steel pushed off the road, its cargo sinking into the roadside embankment due to the impact.
At the time of publishing, emergency response teams were on site coordinating rescue operations. However, the number of injuries or possible fatalities from the crash has not yet been confirmed.
The crash left wreckage scattered across both lanes, making it difficult for other vehicles to pass and forcing some motorists to seek alternative routes.
As of mid-morning, the highway remained heavily congested, with traffic stretching several kilometres on both sides.
Despite motorists’ attempts to alleviate the situation, nothing eased the already worsening traffic, with witnesses urging the police to act promptly to prevent severe snarls.
The situation is expected to significantly affect the movement of people and goods along the vital transport corridor.
This was especially so after transport was paralysed on Monday following protests witnessed across the country during the commemoration of Saba Saba Day.
The situation was worsened by the police decision to restrict movement by erecting roadblocks across major towns and cities in the country.
