Tuesday, August 26, 2025 – A morning accident along the busy Thika Superhighway brought traffic to a standstill after a passenger bus carrying more than 40 commuters overturned near Safari Park Hotel.
The bus, which was heading towards Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), tipped over onto its right side, blocking a major section of the highway and triggering one of the worst rush-hour gridlocks in recent weeks.
What Happened on Thika Superhighway?
Witnesses reported that the accident occurred at around 7:30 AM, just past Safari Park Hotel. Although the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, preliminary reports suggest that the driver may have lost control while attempting to switch lanes.
Images and videos circulating online showed the bus lying on its side across the road’s barricades, with shaken passengers being helped out through emergency exits.
Condition of Passengers
According to police at the scene, most of the passengers sustained minor injuries and were immediately attended to by paramedics. Ambulances from the Kenya Red Cross and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) rushed to the accident site to provide emergency care.
Authorities confirmed that no fatalities were reported, but several commuters were taken to nearby hospitals for further medical checks.
Impact on Nairobi Traffic
The overturned bus caused a major traffic snarl-up on Thika Road, one of the busiest routes into Nairobi. Motorists heading into the city were forced to divert to service lanes as traffic police officers tried to manage the situation.
Despite efforts to ease movement, traffic stretched for several kilometers, leaving hundreds of motorists stranded for hours. Many commuters took to social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook to express their frustrations and warn others to avoid the route.
Rescue and Clearance Operation
Police and KeNHA officers temporarily blocked all traffic flow in order to allow a rescue lorry to haul the overturned bus off the highway. The clearance exercise, which lasted nearly two hours, added to the delays experienced by motorists.
By late morning, traffic had begun to ease, but authorities warned motorists to expect residual congestion as normal flow gradually resumed.
Road Safety Concerns on Thika Road
This latest accident has once again raised concerns about road safety on Thika Superhighway, which has recorded multiple traffic incidents in recent years due to speeding, reckless lane changes, and poor adherence to traffic rules.
Authorities have urged public service vehicle operators to exercise greater caution, especially during rush hours when the road is heavily congested.
