NAIROBI, Kenya— Several people were injured on Wednesday night after a 32-seater matatu overturned along Enterprise Road in Nairobi’s Industrial Area, triggering a major emergency response and raising fresh concerns about road safety and reckless driving by public service vehicles.
The accident occurred near Nairobi Prison, where the matatu reportedly lost control and overturned, leaving multiple passengers injured and trapped beneath the wreckage.
Witnesses at the scene described chaotic moments before the crash, claiming the vehicle was being driven recklessly and swerving dangerously through traffic.
Witnesses allege reckless driving before crash
According to eyewitness accounts, at least six passengers were hanging outside the matatu moments before the accident occurred.
Some witnesses alleged that the driver was speeding and making dangerous maneuvers before losing control of the vehicle.
Several of those injured are believed to have been among the passengers who were clinging to the outside of the PSV when it overturned.
The exact number of passengers on board remains unclear, although witnesses suggested the vehicle may have been carrying more people than its designated 32-seat capacity.
Kenya Red Cross launches rescue operation
Confirming the incident, the Kenya Red Cross Society said emergency response teams had been deployed to assist victims and support evacuation efforts.
“A mass casualty road traffic incident involving an overturned PSV has occurred along Enterprise Road in Industrial Area, opposite Nairobi Prison. Kenya Red Cross emergency response teams are on the scene providing first aid and evacuation support to those affected,” the organisation said in a statement.
Rescuers worked alongside members of the public to retrieve victims from the wreckage and provide emergency medical assistance before transferring the injured to nearby health facilities.
The severity of injuries sustained by the victims had not been immediately disclosed by authorities.
Investigations underway
Police had not issued an official statement by the time of publication, but investigations have been launched to establish the exact cause of the crash.
Authorities are expected to determine whether speeding, overloading, driver negligence or mechanical failure contributed to the accident.
The latest incident adds to a growing number of road accidents involving public service vehicles in Kenya, where concerns over reckless driving, overloading and non-compliance with traffic regulations continue to pose significant safety risks.
As investigators piece together the circumstances surrounding the crash, attention is likely to focus on adherence to road safety rules and the enforcement of regulations aimed at protecting passengers and other road users.
