By Bonface Mulyungi
The death toll from the devastating road crash at the notorious Mlima Kiu black spot along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway has risen to 10 after two more victims succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment in Makueni County.
The latest deaths, reported on Tuesday, come barely a day after another victim died in hospital, deepening the tragedy that has left families in mourning and several others nursing serious injuries.
The accident occurred on Sunday night at about 9.30pm near the ACK area in Salama, Mukaa Subcounty, when multiple vehicles collided in a crash that police described as involving a truck, a bus, two saloon cars and a motorcycle.
Seven people died instantly at the scene, while 27 others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Sultan Hamud Subcounty Hospital for emergency treatment. Some of the injured were later transferred to other health facilities within and outside Makueni County.
Those killed included passengers travelling aboard a Rembo Classic Sacco bus that was carrying 33 people returning from a social function in Nguu Masumba village in Kibwezi West Subcounty.
The passengers were headed to their homes in Slota, KMC, Sofia and Makadara estates in Athi River, Machakos County, as well as Kitengela town in Kajiado County when tragedy struck.
The Star established that some of the victims admitted to hospital were in critical condition, with three of them eventually succumbing to their injuries.
Relatives and survivors confirmed the ten deaths, with news of the latest fatalities reaching families as they anxiously awaited updates from loved ones still receiving treatment.
The impact of the crash has been particularly devastating for some families, with several deceased and critically injured victims said to be single mothers living alone. Their homes have remained locked since the accident.
Police processed the scene and moved the bodies to a local mortuary pending identification and postmortem examinations. The wreckage was later towed to Salama Police Station for inspection.
Among those confirmed dead are the bus driver and all passengers who were seated in the front section of the vehicle.
The crash caused a major traffic snarl-up along the busy highway before traffic officers cleared the road.
Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing.
Mlima Kiu has long been regarded as one of the deadliest stretches on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, with frequent reports of fatal crashes linked to overspeeding, risky overtaking and poor visibility.
The area has witnessed several deadly accidents over the years. On February 21, 2026, five people died after a Naekana Sacco matatu collided head-on with a lorry during heavy rains.
Residents have repeatedly called on the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to redesign or widen the Salama stretch, citing the growing number of fatal accidents.
Meanwhile, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and police have continued urging motorists to avoid speeding, careless overtaking and night travel along the accident-prone section of the highway.
