Modern Coast bus catches fire in Gilgil

By Peter Ochieng

A Modern Coast Bus burst into flames on Saturday near the Gilgil weighbridge, along the busy Nairobi – Nakuru highway. Reports indicate that the 60-seater bus had 23 passengers at the time of the incident.

It was travelling to Kampala, Uganda, from Nairobi. All the passengers were evacuated, but had nothing to do as their belongings were consumed by the fire.

The cause of the inferno is still unknown, as investigations commence.

“This morning at around 09:40, in the Kigio Conservancy area, a bus (registration no. Modern 4) traveling from Nairobi to Kampala caught fire. There were 23 passengers on board, all of whom escaped unhurt. Officers are at the scene to begin investigations into the cause of the fire,” reads a police report in part.

Incidences of long-distance buses catching fire mid-journey are not rare in Kenya. Exactly a month ago, a Kampala-bound bus operated by Simba Coach Company burst into flames at Morendat, between Naivasha and the Gilgil Toll Station.

Confirming the incident, Naivasha Sub-County Deputy Police Commander Anthony Keter said that all the passengers on board escaped unhurt.

The incident occurred after the bus developed a mechanical issue. The fire, Keter explained, began in the rear wheels, prompting the driver to pull over and ensure the passengers safely exited before the flames spread.

“Passengers lost personal belongings and goods worth thousands of shillings as the fire consumed the bus, leaving only a shell,” he said.

In August 2024, a 60-seater passenger bus burst into flames at Mtito Andei area, along the Nairobi – Mombasa highway.

The early morning incident saw passengers scamper for safety as the fire began spreading to other parts of the bus.

Preliminary reports indicated that the fire was caused by a technical failure. Firefighters managed to put out the fire, before the bus was towed away.

Passengers were reassigned to other buses and continued with their journey.