NYERI, Kenya – At least one person has died and more than 20 others were injured after a Nairobi-based ‘Uppercut’ matatu overturned on Sunday night in Tetu, Nyeri County.
The 33-seater matatu, known for its flashy graffiti and loud music, was reportedly on a private trip to Nyeri when it crashed in the Jua Kali area on the night of May 11.
Police say the vehicle overturned, leading to the fatality and multiple injuries.
Those injured were rushed to nearby hospitals as police launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.
Footage shared online hours before the accident showed the same vehicle being driven recklessly along Thika Superhighway.
In the viral video, the matatu can be seen swerving at high speed and overtaking dangerously—actions that appear to have raised alarms from members of the public prior to the crash.
Police confirmed they are reviewing the video and have since detained the vehicle at a local station for inspection.
Authorities are also collecting statements from witnesses who claimed to have flagged the matatu’s erratic driving before the accident occurred.
The incident comes amid growing concern over a surge in fatal road accidents across the country.
Just days earlier, 12 people were killed in Nakuru County after a matatu collided with a lorry on the Njoro-Elburgon Road.
Police said the matatu driver lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a head-on crash.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has cited reckless driving, tyre bursts, and vehicles losing control as leading causes of deadly road crashes.
Overtaking improperly and failure to keep the correct lane have also been flagged as major contributors to head-on collisions.
More than 4,000 Kenyans die in road accidents annually, with thousands more suffering life-altering injuries.
Authorities continue to call for increased caution and enforcement to tackle what they describe as a national menace.
