The fatal collision near Mtito Andei has renewed calls for coordinated road safety action.
NTSA urges the government to fund and coordinate road safety measures after a church bus and truck collision killed 23 people and injured 25.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) wants the government to declare road crashes a national disaster after the Mtito Andei crash. The head-on collision between a church bus and a commercial truck killed 23 people and injured 25 others.
NTSA said Kenya’s road safety crisis had reached emergency levels, with about 20,000 crashes claiming over 5,000 lives annually. It therefore urged the government to mobilise funding and coordinate enforcement across public institutions.
Mtito Andei crash leaves survivors critically injured
The collision occurred at about 7:45 a.m. on Sunday at Kanga, roughly 10 kilometres east of Mtito Andei. The site lies along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.
The National Police Service said the bus belonged to Power of the Word Church International. It was carrying 45 passengers from Western Kenya towards Mombasa after a burial ceremony.
The dead included 12 women, 10 men and one juvenile. Meanwhile, the 25 injured survivors received treatment at Mtito Andei Sub-County Hospital and Kambu Level 4 Hospital. Some sustained critical injuries.
Preliminary accounts indicate that the bus was overtaking several vehicles shortly before the collision. However, investigations continue to establish the exact cause.
NTSA seeks funding and shared safety targets
NTSA said a national disaster declaration would support adequate funding and coordinated interventions. It would also establish measurable safety targets across road agencies, police, the health sector and county governments.
The authority described road safety as a national development and security priority, rather than solely a transport concern.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir also pointed to another fatal collision on October 3. He said that crash at Salama, in the Mtito Andei area, killed 17 people.
Chirchir warned that repeated crashes destroy families, strain health services and weaken economic productivity. He therefore called for decisive, coordinated and sustained action.
Ministry outlines enforcement and regulatory measures
Chirchir said his ministry would work with Parliament, the Judiciary, police, counties and other stakeholders to strengthen safety and accountability.
Planned measures include improvements at accident black spots and tougher enforcement against dangerous driving and reckless overtaking. The ministry also plans stronger training and oversight for commercial and public service vehicle drivers.
In addition, it will engage Parliament and the Judiciary on implementation challenges affecting three regulatory frameworks. These are the Commercial Vehicle Regulations 2026, Vehicle Inspection Regulations 2026 and School Transport Regulations 2026.
Chirchir said the frameworks support vehicle roadworthiness, driver accountability, fatigue management and safer commercial and public service transport.
