Matatu madness accidents ever happened seen in Kenyan roads

Image result for matatu madnessFrom allegations of speeding,charging exorbitant fares , overlapping coning passengers, collaborating with robbers,  the list is somehow endless and we all have an experience. The matatu industry in Kenya has gained negative publicity following instances of recklessness and sometimes uncouth behavior from the operators.

However the latest incident a few weeks ago could have been the last straw after a matatu rammed into a police car in Nairobi’s CBD.

The matatu christened ‘Ty Dolla’ ran into a stationary police car along Moi Avenue, Nairobi has been detained by the police. During the incident that occurred on 9 September just a stone’s throw away from Central Police Station, the matatu is seen reversing with a crowd of youths dangerously dangling onto its exterior before ramming into the back of the police vehicle.

In light of this unfortunate event, we have a recap of five ugly incidents involving matatus in the recent past.

1. Matatu wins award moments after running over student

Related image

‘Catalyst’
‘Catalyst’, which was crowned Kenya 1, ran over a student along City Hall Way, a couple of meters from the venue.

In a bizarre twist of events, the matatu that was crowned the best in Kenya during the 2016 Nganya Awards had just run over a man on its way to the ceremony held at KICC.

He was hanging onto the matatu while it was performing stunts (twerking) when he fell off and the rear wheels ran him over, instantly killing the student.

2. Ongata rongai crash

Schizophreniac
In 2017, a matatu ferrying passengers from Ongata Rongai to the City Centre overturned, killing four people and injuring six others along Lang’ata Road.

Then named Schizophreniac, the recklessly driven matatu was then taken to riko (fabrication) and renamed Ferrero Rocher, operating the CBD- Kitengela route under Wamasaa Investment Sacco.

Barely two months into plying the new route, the matatu was involved in yet another accident.

Ferrero Rocher
3. Reckless conductor’s close shave

Image result for October 13 incident, the matatu

A reckless tout was almost run over by an Embakasi-bound matatu along Haile Selassie Avenue last year.

During the October 13 incident, the matatu under Royal Swift Sacco was making a turn at the Haille Selassie roundabout when the tout fell.

In exclusive footage, the unidentified tout is seen swinging at the door when his feet touched the ground, sending him sprawling on the ground face first with the rear wheels passing just a few feet from his head!

4. Drivers and touts kill man

Image result for Joseph Ng'ethe Kiarie

 

The late Joseph Ng’ethe Kiarie
On Christmas Eve last year, Joseph Ng’ethe Kiarie was allegedly beaten to death by a matatu crew during altercation over a minor accident.

As he drove out of a carwash in Zimmerman, his vehicle was grazed by a minibus and an argument ensued between him and the bus driver. According to witnesses, Kiarie was attacked by a number of drivers and touts who violently escalated the situation.

The accident involving Kiarie’s vehicle
He was sadly pronounced dead on arrival at Neema Uhai Hospital, Ruaraka.

5. Driver forcibly kisses passenger, causes accident

Image result for Driver forcibly kisses passenger, causes accident

 

L-R: David Nandi the driver of the ill-fated vehicle at Shibwe Dispensary. The wreckage of the matatu
Seven months ago, one person died on the spot as three others were hospitalized after a matatu rammed into a culvert and rolled several times along the Sigalagala–Butere highway.

Speaking to The Nairobian, a survivor stated that the driver, who appeared drunk was caressing the woman in the passenger seat next to him before the accident occurred.

“The driver appeared drunk. You could hear him telling the lady how he loves her and wanted to marry her. As the vehicle approached the scene, he was attempting to kiss the woman by force,” he claimed.

The woman in the co-driver seat died instantly.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *