Three people died today morning in an accident that involved two matatus in the Wanjii area along the Murang’a-Nairobi road.
According to preliminary investigations, a matatu belonging to Nakonns Sacco, which was heading towards Murang’a town, plunged into the Maragua River after hitting another matatu belonging to Murang’a Shuttle Sacco.
During the 6:20 am incident, 24 passengers who were onboard the two PSV vehicles sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Murang’a Level 5 hospital for treatment.
Some passengers in the Nakonns Sacco matatu who spoke to the press claimed the driver was speeding, adding they had earlier cautioned him about his careless driving and speeding.
Confirming the incident, Murang’a North Traffic Base Commander, Mr. Kennedy Muthamia, said two female passengers died on the spot while the third victim, a male passenger, succumbed to his injuries before he could get to the hospital.
“The majority of passengers, especially those who were in the Nakonns Sacco matatu, were seriously injured, and we are still following up to establish their condition after they were taken to the hospital.
“The Murang’a Shuttle matatu was heading to Nairobi while the Nakonns matatu was travelling to Othaya in Nyeri. The driver of the Nakonns matatu was unable to negotiate a bend on the road due to speeding and hit the Murang’a Shuttle from the side. The Nakonns matatu driver lost control, and the vehicle plunged into the river,” added Muthamia.
A boda boda operator, Jefferson Murimi, said the accident was caused by careless driving, accusing the Nakonns matatu driver of speeding, especially at the corner.
“It seems the driver was unable to control the vehicle at the corner due to speeding, which led him to hitting the oncoming matatu. KeNHA needs to consider erecting speed bumps at this section of the road,” added Murimi.
Murang’a Shuttle stage attendant Esther Njeri said their PSV matatu departed from the stage at 6 am and had 14 passengers on board.
She noted their matatu overturned on the road after it was hit by the speeding vehicle and asked the government to enforce the requirement of having speed governors installed in all public service vehicles.
By Bernard Munyao
