National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has suspended the operation licence of Modern Coast Bus Express Ltd in wake of Thursday morning accident that killed seven people.
The accident which occurred a few kilometers near Salama town on Mombasa-Nairobi highway, Makueni County involved two of their buses.
NTSA Director-General George Njao said the authority been closely monitoring the company following reports of several near fatal crashes.
The company’s access to the NTSA portal has also been deactivated to limit any activities on their 88 vehicles, the authority said in a statement as investigation over its safety standards and operations kick off.
“Over the last couple of days, the Authority has been monitoring the operations of following reports of several near fatal crashes. Following the early Thursday morning crash involving two of their buses, the Authority has with immediate effect suspended the Company’s operator’s licence,” he said.
Mr Njao directed the police to impound any of the company’s buses if found on the roads.
Seven people died while 60 others sustained injuries in the 2am accident at Kiongwani area.
Five died on the spot and other two succumbed while receiving treatment at Sultan-Hamud Hospital, Makueni County police boss Joseph Ole Naipeiyan confirmed.
Speaking via phone, Napeiyan said that the two buses collided head-on.
“One was coming from Mombasa headed to Nairobi while the other was traveling from Malaba to Mombasa,” said Mr Napeiyan.
Napeiyan added that:“The bus that was traveling to Nairobi left its lane hence colliding with the other going towards Mombasa.”
Napeiyan led traffic police at the scene to assist clear traffic jam that had began to pile up.
Those injured were taken to different hospitals among them Sultan Hamud hospital, Makindu and Machakos for treatment.
