Motorists blame KeNHA after deadly accident on Nairobi–Mombasa Highway
By Kiprono Keileb, December 7, 2025The Motorists Association of Kenya has issued a strong statement following a tragic head-on collision involving a Kinatwa matatu heading to Mombasa and a trailer, an accident that claimed several lives and left three survivors with serious injuries.
In its message shared on X on Sunday, December 7, 2025, the association linked the latest fatal crash on the busy Nairobi–Mombasa highway to long-standing infrastructural failures.
It argued that the continued single-carriage design of the A8 highway has made the road one of the most dangerous in the country.
According to the association, the tragedy points to a systemic problem rather than isolated human mistakes.
“Kinatwa heading to Mombasa head-on with a trailer. Several travellers have died. 3 reported to have survived with serious injuries. We blame it on KeNHA’s 20-year lack of making the highway dual,” the statement read.
In its post-accident analysis, the association said driver errors are inevitable but should not be fatal in a properly engineered road environment.
“Even as we acknowledge that driver error exists, and yes, sometimes any driver may miscalculate, it is utterly irresponsible to weaponise that fact as if human error is a sin deserving death,” the group stated.
Neglected highways
It added that the narrow, congested road design leaves little room for recovery when drivers make mistakes while on the road.
“On these constricted, neglected highways under KeNHA’s watch, misjudgments happen precisely because the road environment is unforgiving, narrow, and poorly engineered,” it noted.
Motorists Association argues that safer road infrastructure exists in many countries to protect road users, even when human error occurs, the association said Kenya should not be an exception.
“That is why every responsible authority worldwide installs wider lanes, because the purpose of infrastructure is to protect life even when human beings slip, as we all do,” it added.
The Motorists Association further criticised what it termed delays tied to planned public–private partnership (PPP) models for upgrading the highway.
“The catastrophic failure to dual the A8 has caused untold deaths, and the buck must stop with the highway authority. Hiding behind PPPs while families bury their loved ones is nothing short of blood money; delaying safety upgrades until a profit model is secured is morally bankrupt,” the statement said.
NTSA on the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway accident
The NTSA earlier announced that it had dispatched a team to conduct a detailed analysis and initiate investigations into the cause of the accident, adding that the Sacco, whose vehicle was involved, is fully cooperating with the relevant agencies.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and friends, and we wish those receiving medical attention a full and speedy recovery. We have immediately deployed a team of road safety auditors and inspectors to the scene to conduct a detailed analysis,” the statement