"Ndo hizi hapa": Angry passengers jump out of Tahmeed bus after bedbug attack

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Passengers on a Tahmeed Express bus abandoned the vehicle mid-journey after discovering a severe bedbug infestation on board

- Video footage showing bedbugs crawling on seats, headrests, and passengers' clothing went viral across social media platforms

- Tahmeed Management confirmed the incident and outlined a range of fleet-wide hygiene measures it has since introduced

A Tahmeed Express bus travelling on a Kenyan route descended into panic earlier this week when passengers discovered a severe bedbug infestation on board, forcing them to abandon the vehicle mid-journey in scenes that were captured on video and shared widely online.

The incident, which involved Bus KCR 615, drew significant attention after the footage circulated across social media platforms, showing passengers scrambling to disembark as bedbugs were spotted crawling on seats, headrests, and the clothing of travellers.

The news briefly trended locally, with commuters sharing their own experiences and calling for accountability from transport operators.

Tahmeed's Response to the Infestation

Tahmeed Management issued an official statement confirming that the infestation was identified on July 17, 2026, and that the company acted immediately.

All passengers were transferred to a replacement bus, while KCR 615 was withdrawn from service and had its seats completely removed for deep sanitisation.

The bus then underwent intensive fumigation before being cleared for return to service following a thorough pest-free inspection.

"On July 17, 2026, we identified a bedbug infestation on KCR 615. We acted at once. We moved all passengers to another bus to ensure your safety and comfort. We grounded KCR 615 and removed all seats. We thoroughly sprayed and fumigated the entire bus to eliminate all bedbugs. We have cleared KCR 615 for service only after confirming it is 100% pest-free," the company said.

Fleet-wide hygiene overhaul

Beyond addressing the immediate situation, Tahmeed Express announced a set of preventive measures covering its entire fleet.

The company increased the frequency of fumigation treatments across all buses and introduced a ban on the carriage of used bedding materials on all routes, identifying such items as a key source of reinfestation.

Management also announced plans to replace existing seat cover materials with pest-resistant, non-porous fabrics designed to prevent bedbugs from taking hold in future.

The incident prompted a divided response online, with some users commending Tahmeed for the speed and transparency of its communication, while others called for independent hygiene audits and tighter regulatory oversight of the public transport sector.

Industry observers noted that sanitation in passenger vehicles deserves closer attention, particularly as commuter volumes remain high.

Tahmeed Express operates passenger services across multiple routes in Kenya and can be reached through its customer care lines at 0415010400 and 0415010406, or via its website at www.tahmeedexpress.com.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.