Horror on the Highway as Passenger Bus Bursts Into Flames Near Gitaru Interchange.
Passengers aboard a Guardian Angel bus narrowly escaped a blazing inferno early Monday morning, April 28, when the vehicle unexpectedly caught fire near the Gitaru Interchange—an essential connection between Wangige and the Southern Bypass.
The drama unfolded in seconds. Witnesses say the bus suddenly erupted in flames, sending smoke billowing into the sky and causing mass panic among the occupants. The fire reportedly started at the rear wheels, which had locked up just moments before the terrifying blaze engulfed the back end of the vehicle.
Exclusive footage obtained by Wamuzinews.co.ke shows the charred wreckage of the bus’s left rear side—burnt to a crisp—as stunned bystanders watched helplessly. One eyewitness claimed the fire “exploded out of nowhere,” while others described the terrifying rush to get everyone out before the flames consumed the entire bus.
Emergency responders, including firefighters, arrived swiftly and managed to bring the inferno under control before it spread further. Miraculously, no injuries were reported, and all passengers were safely evacuated—a narrow escape from what could have easily turned into a national tragedy.
Traffic cops had their hands full trying to disperse the rapidly swelling crowd, with one officer heard urgently warning onlookers: “Move back! These tyres can explode anytime!”
The fire left the bus immobilized on the road, triggering a major traffic snarl-up at the interchange as commuters watched in disbelief.
This alarming incident is just the latest in a disturbing trend of bus fires sweeping across Kenya in recent months. Back in August 2024, a 60-seater went up in flames near Mtito Andei on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway—another close call that highlighted deep-rooted safety concerns.
Experts say multiple factors can ignite these rolling firetraps, from engine and electrical failures to dangerously overheated brakes. In Monday’s Gitaru case, investigators believe the fire may have been caused by excessive friction and heat generated by jammed rear wheels—possibly due to neglected maintenance or worn-out brake systems.
The chilling truth? Overheating in long-distance buses isn’t rare—and if left unchecked, it’s a recipe for catastrophe.
