The charred remains of a fuel tanker and the grieving family of a truck driver serve as a grim testament to the dangers lurking on the Nairobi Southern Bypass. Following a horrific crash on Saturday that turned the highway into an inferno, motorists and safety experts are demanding immediate structural changes to what is fast becoming one of the city’s most lethal corridors.

The tragedy unfolded at the Lang'ata underpass near Carnivore when a fuel tanker, careening down the climbing lane from Mombasa Road, lost control. It rammed into a stalled truck before plunging off the elevated section, exploding on impact. The driver of the truck died on the spot, while the tanker driver miraculously survived with injuries. For hours, the artery connecting Mombasa Road to Kikuyu was a no-go zone, choked by thick black smoke and twisted metal.

"We Ran for Our Lives"

"I was washing a car nearby when I heard the screeching of tires followed by a boom that shook the ground," recalled Jared Onyango, an eyewitness. "Within seconds, the heat was unbearable. We didn't look back; we just ran. It is a miracle more people didn't die."

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) restored traffic flow by Sunday, but assurances of "safety assessments" have done little to quell the public anger. Regular users of the road point to a deadly combination of design flaws and negligence.

• The Speed Factor: The steep descent near the Lang'ata interchange encourages speeding, with heavy trucks often barreling down at uncontrollable velocities. Motorists are now calling for the installation of speed bumps or strictly enforced speed cameras.
• Stalled Hazards: The truck that was hit had reportedly stalled on the road. The lack of immediate towing services for broken-down heavy commercial vehicles turns them into sitting ducks—and deadly obstacles—for other road users.

A Highway or a Hazard?

Lang'ata Sub-County Police Commander Pius Mwangi urged drivers to exercise extreme caution, noting that the bypass is designed for high-speed traffic but requires absolute discipline. "This road does not forgive mistakes," he warned. "Drivers must adhere to the rules, especially those handling hazardous materials."

As the wreckage is cleared, the question remains: How many more infernos must witness before the Southern Bypass is made safe? For the family of the deceased driver, the answer has come too late.