Traffic was temporarily disrupted along the Nairobi Expressway after a personal car burst into flames at 9:04 a.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2026,  in unclear circumstances.

In images and videos seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the vehicle, a Range Rover, is engulfed in smoke from the front side, with the driver nowhere in sight.

According to one witness who spoke exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke, the car suddenly started smoking while in motion before exploding into flames on its way to Mlolongo.

Emergency services have since been deployed at the scene to contain the inferno, as traffic police officers temporarily halted traffic along one side of the expressway so the fire could be contained.

A Range Rover burned to ashes on the Nairobi Expressway near the Southern Bypass Entrance B on January 29, 2026.

Photo

Zollz

It remains unclear what caused the fire, although preliminary reports suggest the fire stemmed from a mechanical issue since there were no vehicles or individuals near the Range Rover at the time it caught fire. 

MOJA Expressway has since released a statement confirming the incident, warning motorists to exercise caution along the busy highway until the situation is fully contained. 

“Traffic was temporarily disrupted along the Nairobi Expressway near Southern Bypass Entrance B after a vehicle encountered mechanical issues and later resulting in combustion,” a statement from MOJA Expressway said.

The service provider further revealed that in the wake of the incident, passengers aboard the ill-fated Range Rover had been safely evacuated. No injuries were reported at the time of publication of this article. 

The statement went on,  “Our patrol team, working closely with the Kenya Police Service, was able to safely evacuate passengers aboard the vehicle and extinguish the fire, keeping other motorists safe.”

Sudden car fires usually originate from a combination of mechanical issues or electrical faults. Engines running hotter than designed can ignite fluids like oil, coolant, or fuel are among the biggest contributors of such incidents. 

Overheating may occur due to a malfunctioning radiator, a coolant leak, or blocked airflow. Once the engine compartment reaches extreme temperatures, any flammable material in contact with it is at risk of ignition.

Additionally, fuel system leaks can create fire hazards if not handled properly. These highly flammable fluids are useful in powering the vehicle, but can result in its combustion as well.

Moreover, lithium-ion batteries, common in hybrid and electric vehicles, can catch fire if punctured or overcharged. Thermal runaway, when the battery heats uncontrollably, can result in sudden, intense fires that are difficult to extinguish.

An image of an Audi SUV burned by riders on the Superhighway in Thika on September 26, 2025.

Photo

Thika Watch