Passengers and motorists along the busy Nakuru–Nairobi Highway were left in shock on Monday morning, August 18, after a long-distance bus belonging to Guardian Angel went up in flames. The bus was reduced to ashes within minutes, forcing those at the scene to watch helplessly.
Images and videos of the incident quickly went viral on social media, sparking heated debate among Kenyans. What caught the attention of many was a small red cylinder, believed to be a fire extinguisher, lying on the ground outside the burning vehicle.
Many online users questioned how such a small extinguisher could handle a massive fire, with some arguing that the lack of adequate firefighting equipment may have worsened the tragedy. Others called for stricter safety measures to be enforced in public service vehicles to prevent similar incidents.
Fortunately, no deaths or injuries were reported, but the incident left passengers counting heavy losses after their belongings were consumed by the flames.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, as the bus company has yet to issue an official statement on the matter. Authorities are expected to launch investigations to establish what led to the blaze.
This incident comes at a time when Kenya is grappling with an alarming rise in road accidents and tragedies on major highways, raising fresh concerns about passenger safety.
By Nairobi