The seamless commute on the Nairobi Expressway descended into chaos this morning as a luxury Range Rover burst into flames, sending a thick column of black smoke billowing over the city skyline. The incident, which occurred at 9:04 AM near the Southern Bypass Entrance B, brought traffic to a standstill and left motorists scrambling for safety.

Witnesses watched in horror as the high-end vehicle, heading towards Mlolongo, suddenly began emitting smoke while in motion. Within moments, tongues of fire licked from the engine bay, consuming the front of the car. The driver and passengers managed to escape just seconds before the vehicle was engulfed in an inferno that reduced the status symbol to a charred shell.

Panic in the Fast Lane

"It happened so fast," said a motorist who was driving behind the ill-fated car. "One minute it was cruising, the next it was a fireball. We had to reverse and swerve to avoid the heat. It was terrifying."

MOJA Expressway officials, in coordination with the Kenya Police Service, responded swiftly to the scene. Firefighters battled the blaze as police cordoned off the affected lanes to prevent a secondary accident.

• No Casualties: Miraculously, no injuries were reported. The swift evacuation of the passengers prevented what could have been a fatal tragedy.
• Traffic Snarl-up: The fire forced a temporary closure of the Mlolongo-bound lanes, causing a significant backlog that rippled onto the connecting roads. Traffic officers worked frantically to divert vehicles and clear the debris.

Questions on Safety

While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, the incident raises fresh concerns about vehicle maintenance and safety, even for luxury brands. It also tests the emergency readiness of the Expressway's management team.

By midday, the shell of the Range Rover had been towed away, and normal flow resumed. But for those who witnessed the blaze, the image of a burning luxury car on Nairobi's most modern road will be hard to forget.