The incident followed a fatal accident in which the bus, reportedly en route to Kampala, struck two people riding a motorbike, killing them instantly.
Witnesses say the collision occurred at high speed, leaving the riders with no chance of survival. News of the deaths spread quickly among nearby boda boda operators, who rushed to the scene.
Witnesses say the collision occurred at high speed, leaving the riders with no chance of survival. News of the deaths spread quickly among nearby boda boda operators, who rushed to the scene.
Anger mounted as the crowd confronted the bus driver, accusing him of reckless driving. Within minutes, the situation escalated into mob violence.
The driver was attacked before the crowd turned its fury on the bus itself. Flames soon engulfed the vehicle, reducing it to a metallic shell.
The driver was attacked before the crowd turned its fury on the bus itself. Flames soon engulfed the vehicle, reducing it to a metallic shell.
Though the bus was destroyed beyond repair, authorities confirmed that no passengers sustained injuries during the incident.
The burning of the bus caused massive disruption along one of Kenya’s busiest transport corridors. Motorists were forced to seek alternative routes as traffic police struggled to restore order.
The burning of the bus caused massive disruption along one of Kenya’s busiest transport corridors. Motorists were forced to seek alternative routes as traffic police struggled to restore order.
Videos widely shared on social media showed the bus consumed by fire, with onlookers standing at a distance as thick smoke billowed into the sky.
Other clips revealed long lines of vehicles stuck in traffic, highlighting the vulnerability of the highway to sudden unrest.
The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) condemned the attack, urging the National Police Service (NPS) to take swift action against those responsible.
Other clips revealed long lines of vehicles stuck in traffic, highlighting the vulnerability of the highway to sudden unrest.
The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) condemned the attack, urging the National Police Service (NPS) to take swift action against those responsible.
The association warned that such acts of mob justice undermine road safety and erode public confidence in Kenya’s transport system.
“This kind of violence cannot be tolerated. Accidents must be handled through lawful channels, not mob retaliation,” MAK said in a statement.
The Salgaa incident is not isolated. Just a month earlier, a 33‑seater minibus was torched in Juja, Kiambu County, after allegedly knocking down a tout along Thika Road.
“This kind of violence cannot be tolerated. Accidents must be handled through lawful channels, not mob retaliation,” MAK said in a statement.
The Salgaa incident is not isolated. Just a month earlier, a 33‑seater minibus was torched in Juja, Kiambu County, after allegedly knocking down a tout along Thika Road.
In that case, boda boda riders and residents confronted the driver before setting the vehicle on fire, once again disrupting transport on a major highway.
Police have launched investigations into the Salgaa incident, though no arrests had been confirmed by Monday morning.
Police have launched investigations into the Salgaa incident, though no arrests had been confirmed by Monday morning.
Authorities pledged to increase patrols along the Nairobi–Nakuru–Eldoret highway, a critical route linking Kenya to Uganda and other regional markets.
Transport officials also reiterated calls for calm, urging road users to allow law enforcement agencies to handle accidents.
Transport officials also reiterated calls for calm, urging road users to allow law enforcement agencies to handle accidents.
“We understand the pain of losing lives, but violence only worsens the situation,” one official noted.
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Conclusion
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