The bus, traveling from the central town Meru along the highway to Nairobi, the capital, “must have developed brake failure, because it was at a very high speed when the accident happened," said senior police official Rono Bunei.
The accident occurred about 6:30 p.m. and Red Cross officials said the rescue operation was suspended after nightfall.
Alex Mugambi, the manager of a community rescue team, said he believes the death toll is likely to rise, ABC News reported.
The accident is the latest in a series of deadly crashes in Kenya — and across the wider East African region — where roads are often narrow and police blame speeding drivers for crashes.
At least 20 passengers were killed on July 8 in a crash along the highway from Nairobi to the coastal city of Mombasa.
MA/PR