ATHI RIVER, Kenya — Two trucks burst into flames on Monday morning after a collision along the busy Nairobi–Mombasa Highway near Greenpark Estate in Athi River, Machakos County.
The accident occurred on March 2 after one of the trucks reportedly lost control and rammed into another.
Images and videos from the scene seen by Y news show both heavy commercial vehicles engulfed in flames, with thick plumes of black smoke rising into the sky as motorists and residents watched from a distance.
Firefighters from Machakos County responded to the scene and worked to contain the inferno. Authorities had not confirmed any casualties or injuries by the time of publication.
The crash triggered a major traffic snarl-up along the highway, particularly affecting vehicles heading towards Mombasa. Motorists experienced delays as emergency responders secured the area and cleared debris from the roadway.
The Nairobi–Mombasa Highway is one of Kenya’s busiest transport corridors, linking the capital to the Port of Mombasa and serving as a key artery for cargo and passenger movement. Accidents involving heavy commercial vehicles frequently cause significant disruptions along the route.
The incident comes weeks after a Range Rover burst into flames along the Nairobi Expressway on January 29. In a statement at the time, Moja Expressway said the vehicle experienced a mechanical issue that led to combustion near the Southern Bypass Entrance B.
“Traffic was temporarily disrupted along the Nairobi Expressway… after a vehicle encountered mechanical issues, which later resulted in combustion,” the company said, adding that its patrol team and police safely evacuated passengers before extinguishing the fire.
Earlier, on January 24, a fuel tanker overturned and exploded along the Southern Bypass near Carnivore, causing widespread traffic disruption. Emergency teams, including firefighters, contamination control specialists and traffic police, responded to contain the blaze and secure the area.
Monday’s Athi River crash once again raises concerns over road safety along major highways, particularly involving heavy commercial vehicles. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has previously urged drivers to observe speed limits and ensure regular vehicle maintenance to prevent mechanical failures.
Police are expected to investigate the cause of the latest accident as efforts continue to restore normal traffic flow along the highway.
