Scene of the crash on a bridge along Mbagathi Way./SCREENGRAB
The identities of the three young men who died in the horrific Mbagathi Road crash in Nairobi have been established, bringing an end to days of uncertainty for their families and friends.
The victims have been identified as Eric Ochieng, popularly known as Pape, Allan Mwenda Kinyua and Kyalo Mutemi.
The three died after the BMW they were travelling in crashed and burst into flames in the early hours of Sunday, July 12, 2026.
The intensity of the fire left their bodies badly burnt, making immediate identification impossible.
Police had initially planned to conduct DNA tests to formally confirm their identities.
Investigators are also seeking to establish the seating positions of the three occupants at the time of the crash as part of the ongoing investigation.
The charred remains of the three were taken to the City Mortuary for preservation pending identification and post-mortem examinations.
Preliminary investigations indicate the three friends had spent several hours at a bar in the Nairobi West area before the crash.
Police said Mwenda is believed to have been the owner of the BMW involved in the crash.
The crash occurred at about 3 am at the Riara Footbridge on Mbagathi Road, police said.
The three were travelling from the Lang'ata Road roundabout towards the city on Mbagathi Way when the driver reportedly lost control.
The vehicle veered off the left side of the road, mounted the footbridge stairway and crashed into the footbridge railings before bursting into flames.
The driver and the two passengers were trapped inside and burnt beyond recognition.
Emergency responders and police officers rushed to the scene, where they retrieved the bodies before removing the wreckage.
Officers documented the scene and launched investigations to establish the exact cause of the crash.
As the families come to terms with the tragedy, burial preparations have begun.
According to an obituary released by his family, a memorial service for Mwenda will be held on July 15, 2026, at Lavington United Church.
"Allan was a loving husband, father, son, brother, cousin, uncle and friend to many," the obituary reads.
Police investigations into the fatal crash are ongoing.
