Kakuma : the deadly road that brings grief to Burundian refugees

SOS Médias Burundi

Kakuma, July 21, 2026—Two Burundian refugees lost their lives Friday in a traffic accident near the Kakuma camp in northwestern Kenya. Several other people, including some seriously injured, are hospitalized. Faced with the recurring tragedies on this stretch of road, refugees are calling for urgent measures to improve road safety.

The fatal accident occurred not far from the Kakuma camp, on a national highway connecting northwestern and central Kenya, according to local sources.

According to initial reports, a motorcycle carrying four people collided with a car. Two Burundian refugees died instantly, while two other motorcycle passengers and the car driver were seriously injured.

“Two Burundian refugees died at the scene.” Two other people, as well as the car’s driver, are in critical condition at the regional central hospital,” a local source reports.

Speed ​​and lack of helmets implicated

Initial police investigations indicate that the vehicle’s excessive speed was one of the main causes of the accident. Investigators also suspect that the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs after bottles of alcoholic beverages and substances resembling cannabis were found in the vehicle.

Police also emphasize that none of the motorcycle passengers were wearing helmets, a factor that may have exacerbated the severity of their injuries.

Both the motorcycle and the car were heavily damaged in the collision.

A road already marked by several accidents

This tragedy is not an isolated incident on this stretch of road. Less than two weeks ago, another Burundian refugee also lost his life there after his bicycle was struck by a car.

The recurring accidents are worrying residents of the camp, who rely heavily on this road for their daily commutes.

The police are urging road users to strictly adhere to the traffic code, particularly regarding the number of passengers allowed on motorcycles and the requirement to wear helmets.

Refugees are demanding urgent action.

The refugees are requesting the installation of a traffic control post on this road, as well as the construction of speed bumps to reduce vehicle speeds.

This stretch of road is particularly busy with motorcyclists, a mode of transport widely used in the Kakuma camp.

Located in Turkana County, the Kakuma camp hosts more than 200,000 refugees, including approximately 20,000 Burundians. For many of them, motorcycles remain the primary means of transportation for accessing services, markets, and economic activities.

Faced with the increasing number of accidents, the refugees believe that additional safety measures have become essential to prevent further tragedies.