A Mash Poa bus was set on fire by angry boda boda riders after a deadly accident on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway in Kenya. The incident happened on Sunday evening, December 21, 2025, near Salgaa Trading Centre in Nakuru County. The 65-seater bus was heading to Kampala, Uganda, with passengers from Mombasa and other stops.
Reports say the bus hit a motorcycle carrying two people. Both the rider and passenger died on the spot. Eyewitnesses give different accounts of what caused the crash. Some say the motorcycle rider was moving recklessly on the highway. Others point to the bus speeding. Police are still investigating to find out exactly what happened.
Soon after the collision, a group of boda boda riders gathered at the scene. They became upset and attacked the bus. They set it ablaze. More than 60 passengers managed to get out safely, but many were left stranded. Some got minor injuries in the chaos. The fire destroyed the bus completely. Traffic backed up for hours on both sides of the busy road. Police arrived later and cleared the area.
Salgaa is known as a dangerous stretch of road. It has seen many serious accidents over the years. Trucks, buses, and motorcycles mix on the highway, leading to crashes often. This spot gets called a blackspot because of the high number of deaths.
Groups spoke out against the burning. The Motorists Association of Kenya called it mob justice and wrong. They praised Mash Poa drivers for usually being careful. Long-distance drivers also criticised the act. It happened close to a police station, they noted. Calls came for arrests and better rules for motorcycles on highways.
This is not the first time something like this has happened in Kenya. In recent months, boda boda riders have set fire to vehicles after accidents in places like Nairobi and Thika. People worry about the pattern. Some say restrict motorcycles from main highways. They are meant for shorter trips, not fast roads with big vehicles.
Passengers on the bus were heading home for Christmas. Many lost their belongings in the fire. Mash Poa, a company running since 2002, operates routes across Kenya and to Uganda. They have not commented much yet.
Road safety remains a big issue here. Accidents kill many each year. This latest event adds to concerns during the holiday travel rush. Police continue their probe. They urge calm and letting the law handle disputes. For now, the burnt bus shell reminds drivers of the risks on that highway. Travellers hope for safer roads ahead.
