Alarm as Another Bus of 48 Passengers Bursts into Flames

Concerns have been voiced by Kenyans regarding the safety of long-distance buses in the country, with yet another alarming incident occurring as a bus belonging to the Tahmeed Bus Company burst into flames in Voi.

The ill-fated bus was en route from Kitale to Malindi when the fire erupted early on a Sunday morning.

In an official statement, Tahmeed expressed regret, stating, “We are deeply sorry to inform you that one of our buses traveling from Kitale to Malindi experienced a fire incident earlier today.

The bus caught fire around 4:00 AM near the Voi area.” Fortunately, the company confirmed that all passengers were successfully rescued, and no injuries or fatalities were reported.

Acknowledging the swift response that ensured the safety of everyone on board, Tahmeed’s statement continued, “We are grateful for the swift action that ensured everyone’s safety.

Our teams assisted these passengers with completing their journey on alternative buses.” Passengers who were initially on the affected bus were promptly allocated other buses to continue their travels.

Despite the positive outcome of the incident, Kenyans are expressing growing alarm over the recurring instances of long-distance buses catching fire.

On social media, one user raised the question, “These cases of buses catching fire have become rampant, we need to come up with a solution, what could be the cause and possible solutions?”

Online discussions have also brought attention to concerns about the maintenance of these buses, with customers suggesting that companies may not be adequately servicing their fleets.

This concern gains weight as it is revealed that this is not the first fire-related incident involving Tahmeed Bus Company; a similar incident occurred in January 2023.

Adding to the worrisome trend, a different bus company experienced a fire incident on January 22, where a bus traveling from Mombasa to Nairobi caught fire along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway in Tsavo.

These recurring incidents raise important questions about the safety protocols, maintenance practices, and overall safety standards within the long-distance bus industry in Kenya.