The August 2025 road accident that claimed 26 lives in Kisumu could have been caused by a combination of brake failure, speeding and road design flaws, new details show.
This comes even as the government says investigations into the bus accident are yet to be concluded.
In a statement to the Senate, Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the National Police Service is still conducting formal investigations into the August 2025 crash at the Coptic roundabout along the Kisumu–Kakamega highway.
“The National Police Service has not finalised its report yet,” Chirchir said.
He added that a technical crash analysis by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) had already established probable causes and contributing factors.
According to the report, the bus lost control while descending a steep slope towards the roundabout.
Investigations indicate that the vehicle’s braking system was ineffective, likely due to insufficient compressed air pressure, causing the driver to hit a speed hump at high speed before veering off course.
The bus, which was travelling at 61 km/h—well above the recommended limit—rolled over after the driver attempted to avoid a collision, eventually landing in a roadside drain.
The crash killed the driver and 24 passengers on the spot, while dozens of others sustained serious injuries.
The NTSA report also cited a lack of anti-roll bars, weak vehicle structure and failure by passengers to wear seat belts as factors that worsened the fatalities.
Beyond mechanical issues, the crash exposed glaring infrastructural weaknesses.
The roundabout’s outward-sloping design increased the risk of rollover, while the steep gradient leading to the junction amplified vehicle momentum.
Investigators also flagged inadequate safety features, including lack of guardrails and clear speed limit signage.
Following the accident, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) conducted a site inspection and proposed a redesign of the black spot.
Planned works include reconstructing the section into a safer through-traffic road, improving drainage and installing enhanced safety features.
However, the Ministry has admitted that the project has stalled due to budgetary constraints.
“Works are yet to commence due to budgetary constraints. The Ministry shall prioritise the same in the next budgetary cycle,” Chirchir told the Senate.
In the meantime, temporary measures have been put in place, including installation of crash barriers, road markings and reflective studs to improve visibility. Right turns at the junction have also been prohibited to reduce risk.
The tragedy has sparked wider concern over road safety in the western region, with lawmakers pressing the ministry to act on rising cases of fatal accidents involving long-distance passenger buses.
Chirchir said the government has since intensified safety audits and blackspot mapping across major roads leading into Kisumu, including the Kisumu–Busia, Kisumu–Kericho and Kisumu–Kakamega highways.
Multiple audits conducted between 2019 and 2024 identified hazardous sections and recommended corrective measures.
To curb accidents, the ministry has rolled out a multi-agency approach involving enforcement, engineering and public awareness.
This includes weekly joint crackdowns on traffic offenders, mandatory inspections for public service vehicles and driver sensitisation campaigns through local media.
Authorities are also tightening enforcement of regulations governing long-distance drivers. These include mandatory use of two drivers for long trips, strict journey planning and limits on continuous driving hours.
Additionally, drivers will now be required to take a minimum eight-hour rest before resuming night shifts, as part of efforts to combat fatigue-related accidents.
The ministry is also pushing for stricter vehicle safety standards, particularly for buses, including enhanced inspection of braking systems and mandatory installation of stability features such as anti-roll bars.
Despite these measures, the delay in implementing long-term infrastructure fixes has raised concerns about continued risks for motorists using the busy Kisumu–Kakamega highway.
