Passengers forced to abandon Tahmeed bus after bedbug infestation

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Passengers travelling from Mombasa to Nairobi aboard a Tahmeed Coach bus were forced to abandon the vehicle after complaining of a bedbug infestation that left some of them with bites during the journey.

The affected bus, registration number KCR 615, was later taken out of service by Tahmeed for thorough cleaning and fumigation after the company confirmed that it had been infested with bedbugs.

The incident has raised concerns over hygiene standards in long-distance public transport, with passengers spending several hours travelling in enclosed buses and relying on operators to maintain clean and safe vehicles.

One of the passengers, Mr Patrick Mungai, claimed that the problem became apparent after the bus left Mombasa.

“We boarded the bus at Mwembe Tayari and by the time we reached Changamwe, several people were complaining that they had been bitten by bedbugs. However, the driver continued with the journey,” Mr Mungai said.

He said some passengers became increasingly uncomfortable as they continued travelling and eventually refused to proceed in the affected bus.

The passengers were later taken to Bonje, where Tahmeed buses are parked, and transferred to another vehicle.

“Even after we got off, people were still being bitten by bedbugs. When we reached Bonje, we were transferred from KCR 615 to another bus and continued with the journey,” Mr Mungai said in a video posted on TikTok.

He said he had travelled with the company and retained his ticket as evidence of the journey.

The replacement bus continued towards Nairobi, but passengers encountered further delays after reaching Machakos, where they found heavy traffic.

“It was a very long journey,” Mr Mungai said.

Videos recorded by passengers and shared on social media showed travellers raising concerns about the presence of bedbugs in the bus and demanding action.

The complaints prompted increased attention online, with passengers questioning the hygiene standards of buses used for long-distance travel.

Tahmeed Coach has since confirmed that the affected bus was removed from service after the infestation was identified.

In a service update, the company said it discovered the bedbug infestation in KCR 615 on July 17, 2026, and immediately took measures to protect passengers.

“All passengers who were on board the affected bus were moved to another vehicle while KCR 615 was taken out of service,” the company said.

Tahmeed said it removed all the seats from the bus before subjecting it to thorough cleaning, spraying and fumigation.

The company said the process was intended to eliminate the bedbugs and prevent them from spreading to other vehicles or passengers.

“KCR 615 has been cleared for service only after confirming it is 100 per cent pest-free,” Tahmeed said.

The company did not dispute the presence of bedbugs but said it had responded by taking the affected vehicle out of service and carrying out remedial measures.

It has also announced additional measures aimed at preventing similar incidents across its fleet.

Tahmeed said it would increase the frequency of fumigation of its buses to strengthen hygiene controls.

The company has also stopped carrying used bedding on all its routes, saying the measure would reduce the possibility of bedbugs being introduced into its buses.

It further announced plans to change the material used for seat covers to alternatives that are less likely to harbour bedbugs.

The company urged passengers to continue reporting any concerns relating to hygiene or safety.

“We value your feedback. Keep telling us when you see something that needs fixing. Your voice drives our standards,” Tahmeed said.

The incident has renewed concerns over sanitation in public transport, particularly in long-distance buses that make frequent trips between major towns and carry large numbers of passengers.

Unlike private vehicles, public buses are used by different groups of travellers throughout the day, increasing the possibility of pests being carried through luggage, clothing and other personal belongings.

Bedbugs are small parasitic insects that feed on blood and commonly hide in cracks, fabrics, mattresses and upholstered surfaces.

They can be transported between locations through luggage, clothing, bedding and other materials. Their bites can cause itching, skin irritation and discomfort.

Mr Mungai said passengers had raised complaints during the trip but the journey initially continued until the group was eventually transferred to another vehicle.

The company said the additional fumigation and changes to seat-cover materials were intended to ensure that similar incidents do not recur.

It also encouraged passengers to report problems promptly so that the company can take corrective action.

The company said the measures taken on KCR 615 were part of its broader commitment to maintaining hygiene across its fleet.

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