Mtito Andei Crash: Post-Mortems Reveal Fatal Injuries as Makueni Waives Bills

Post-mortem examinations have established that severe injuries and blood loss killed the 24 people who died in the Mtito Andei road crash, as survivors recover and investigators work to establish how the collision happened.

Post-mortem examinations on the 24 people killed in Sunday’s devastating road crash near Mtito Andei have found that they died from multiple injuries and severe blood loss.

The findings provide medical evidence of the impact of the collision between a church bus and a lorry at Kanga, along the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway, in Makueni County, on 25 October 2026.

The crash also left 23 people injured, according to reports published after the accident. Survivors have since described the moments before the collision, while medical teams continue treating those who suffered serious injuries.

As families begin the difficult process of identifying and burying their loved ones, Makueni County has announced that it will cover hospital, mortuary and post-mortem charges for victims. The waiver is intended to ease some of the financial pressure on families dealing with sudden loss.

Survivors describe the moments before the crash

The bus belonged to Power of the Word Church International in Mombasa. It was carrying passengers back to the Coast after they attended a burial in western Kenya.

Some survivors have described a frightening journey in the moments before the crash.

One passenger said there had been a disagreement over when the group should begin the return journey. Some wanted to finish the funeral activities on Saturday, rest and travel back to Mombasa on Sunday morning.

The disagreement, however, does not establish what caused the accident.

Another survivor recalled noticing the bus moving unusually shortly before it overturned. The account is among several emerging from passengers who lived through the collision.

The reports offer a glimpse into the final moments before the tragedy, but investigators will need to establish the sequence of events using witness accounts and other available evidence.

Makindu Hospital treats injured passengers

At Makindu Sub-County Hospital, medical teams received 20 patients from the crash, some in critical condition.

Dr Romeo Wahome, an emergency physician leading the hospital’s response, said 10 patients were admitted for further treatment. One was placed in the intensive care unit (ICU), while three were referred to other facilities at their request.

The hospital has continued to monitor patients with serious injuries, with some requiring specialised care.

The figures from Makindu represent patients received at that facility, rather than the full number of people injured in the crash. Other survivors were treated at different hospitals, including Mtito Andei Sub-County Hospital and facilities beyond the immediate area.

Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili visited survivors at Makindu Hospital on Monday and thanked health workers for their response.

She also urged motorists to avoid driving when tired, warning that fatigue can put drivers, passengers and other road users at risk. Her appeal comes as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the collision.

What caused the accident?

The precise circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.

Initial accounts from authorities indicated that the bus was attempting to overtake other vehicles when it collided with an oncoming lorry. The Ministry of Roads also cited suspected improper overtaking in its preliminary account. These reports do not amount to a final determination of responsibility.

The post-mortem findings establish the fatal injuries suffered by the victims, but they do not by themselves determine why the collision occurred. Investigators will need to establish the events leading up to the impact and whether any road-user or vehicle-related factors contributed.

President William Ruto has directed the inspection of public service vehicles following the tragedy, renewing attention on compliance with road safety requirements.

The crash has also renewed concern about safety on the busy Nairobi–Mombasa Highway, where long-distance journeys and overtaking manoeuvres can carry serious risks when drivers misjudge the road or conditions.

For now, families are mourning the 24 people who died, survivors are receiving treatment, and officials are working to establish what happened. The county’s decision to waive medical, mortuary and post-mortem charges offers practical relief, but affected families are left to deal with the loss while investigators seek answers.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.