Royal Liner Bus Accident at Lela Leaves One Dead, Several Injured
KISUMU, Kenya – One person has been confirmed dead and several others injured following a grisly road accident involving a Royal Liner bus, a flatbed trailer, and a fuel tanker along the Kisumu–Busia highway near Lela in Maseno, Nyanza region, on Monday, August 11, 2025.
The incident occurred when the Royal Liner bus, registration number KDQ 792F, travelling from Busia to Mombasa, was allegedly attempting to overtake at a sharp corner. According to preliminary reports, the bus was struck from behind by a speeding flatbed trailer, pushing it into the path of an oncoming fuel tanker. The resulting collision triggered a chaotic scene that left debris scattered across the wet tarmac.
Nyanza region traffic enforcement officer Peter Maina confirmed the death of one passenger and said that six others sustained varying degrees of injuries. “Investigations are currently underway to establish the full circumstances of the crash,” Maina told reporters at the scene.
Royal Liner Express Ltd issued a statement on social media confirming the accident. The company reported that only one passenger sustained minor injuries and was treated at a nearby medical facility, while the rest of the passengers were transferred to a Dreamline Express bus to continue their journey to Mombasa.
However, eyewitness accounts paint a more severe picture, with several passengers reportedly rushed to various hospitals in Kisumu and surrounding areas. Emergency response teams, including paramedics, police, and local volunteers, worked swiftly to rescue trapped passengers and clear the highway for other motorists.
The crash occurred on a stretch of road notorious for accidents, particularly during the rainy season when the surface becomes slippery and visibility is reduced. Residents of Lela have repeatedly called for the installation of speed bumps and warning signs to reduce reckless overtaking at sharp bends.
Authorities have cautioned drivers to exercise extra care, especially when navigating corners and overtaking on wet roads. “Motorists must adhere to speed limits and road signs. Lives could be saved if we avoided dangerous manoeuvres like overtaking on blind spots,” said Maina.
The government has pledged to release a detailed report once investigations are concluded. Meanwhile, police have impounded the involved vehicles for inspection as part of the probe.
The Kisumu–Busia highway is a major transport corridor linking western Kenya to the coastal city of Mombasa, carrying thousands of passengers and tonnes of goods daily.
