Police have launched investigations into a bizarre and fatal road accident after a vehicle reportedly veered off Mbagathi Road and ended up on a pedestrian footbridge before bursting into flames in the early hours of Saturday, July 11.
The dramatic incident, which occurred at around 6:00 a.m. near the flyover close to the Riara University turn-off, left residents and motorists stunned as rescue teams rushed to the scene amid fears that several occupants may have been trapped inside the burning wreckage.
Witnesses said the vehicle appeared to have left the main carriageway under unclear circumstances before mounting the staircase leading to the elevated pedestrian bridge. It eventually came to rest on its side halfway down the stairs before catching fire.
Videos and photographs circulating online showed the vehicle engulfed in intense flames as thick smoke billowed into the sky, attracting a large crowd of onlookers. Traffic along sections of Mbagathi Road slowed as motorists stopped to witness the unfolding scene.
One witness who arrived shortly after the crash described the incident as unlike anything he had ever seen.
“We were shocked when we saw the car on the footbridge stairs. Nobody could understand how it got there. Moments later, flames completely engulfed the vehicle,” he said.
Another witness claimed that a police officer who was among the first responders attempted to rescue a person believed to be trapped inside the vehicle.
“The officer kept calling for help and was trying to get close to the car, but the fire was too intense. There was little anyone could do at that point,” the witness alleged.
Unconfirmed reports circulating on social media suggested that three people were inside the vehicle at the time of the crash and may have died after becoming trapped in the burning wreckage. However, by the time of publication, authorities had not officially confirmed the number of occupants, casualties or the identities of those involved.
Police officers and emergency responders cordoned off the area as firefighting and recovery efforts got underway.
A senior traffic officer familiar with the investigation said detectives were working to establish the sequence of events that led to the unusual crash.
“Our investigators are examining all available evidence, including witness accounts and the condition of the scene, to determine how the vehicle left the road and ended up on the footbridge. We are also working to establish the number of occupants and whether there were any fatalities,” the officer said.
Road safety experts have described the incident as highly unusual, noting that investigators will likely examine factors such as vehicle speed, mechanical failure, driver impairment, road conditions and possible medical emergencies.
The crash has sparked widespread speculation online, with many Kenyans questioning how a vehicle could have mounted a pedestrian bridge several metres above the roadway before crashing.
Emergency personnel remained at the scene for several hours as recovery operations continued and traffic officers directed motorists away from the affected area.
Police have urged members of the public to avoid speculation and allow investigators to complete their work, promising to provide further details once the circumstances surrounding the crash have been established.
The incident adds to growing concerns over road safety in Nairobi, where authorities have repeatedly warned motorists against speeding and reckless driving, particularly during early morning hours when visibility and traffic conditions can change rapidly.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
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