NAIROBI, Kenya — The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) have launched investigations into a viral road rage incident in Nairobi’s Lavington estate after a video showed a Toyota Prado repeatedly ramming a Suzuki Alto operating as an online taxi.
The incident, which occurred on the night of Thursday, July 9, outside an entertainment establishment, sparked widespread public outrage after footage circulated on social media showing the sport utility vehicle reversing and driving into the smaller car several times before leaving the scene.
Investigators are now working to establish the circumstances that led to the confrontation, with both drivers giving differing accounts of what transpired.
According to the Suzuki Alto driver, who works as an online taxi operator, the confrontation began while he was dropping off a passenger at the premises. He said a disagreement arose over which vehicle should give way at a narrow entry and exit point before the situation escalated.
The driver claimed the Prado repeatedly rammed his vehicle, causing extensive damage that has left him unable to work for three days, denying him his primary source of income.
He maintains that he was the victim of road rage and is seeking accountability for the damage to his vehicle.
However, the Prado driver has disputed that version of events, alleging that the taxi blocked his exit from the premises.
He further claimed that the taxi driver confronted him with a club and damaged the Prado’s headlights before the altercation escalated. The Prado driver said he reported the matter to police as malicious damage to property, while alleging that the taxi driver filed a hit-and-run complaint.
Police have since taken over the investigation and are expected to review witness statements, available video footage and damage to both vehicles to determine the sequence of events and whether any traffic or criminal offences were committed.
NTSA has also joined the investigation as authorities seek to establish whether road traffic laws were violated during the confrontation.
The incident has reignited concerns among ride-hailing operators, whose associations have repeatedly raised concerns over the security of digital taxi drivers, particularly during late-night passenger pick-ups and drop-offs.
No arrests or charges had been announced by the time of publication, and authorities had not released any preliminary findings from the ongoing investigations.
Both the DCI and NTSA are expected to determine responsibility after reviewing all available evidence. Until then, the competing claims by the two drivers remain allegations that have not been independently verified.