A tragic morning unfolded in Githurai 45 as a matatu lost control and ploughed into roadside vendors and pedestrians, killing at least one person and leaving several others nursing serious injuries
The accident, which occurred at around 9 a.m. along the busy Thika Super Highway, brought business and traffic to a standstill. Eyewitnesses say the matatu, which was headed from Roysambu towards Githurai, veered off course after hitting a bump and collided with a motorcycle before ramming into vendors at a crowded roadside market.
“It was a normal morning, then suddenly there was a loud bang,” recounted John Kariuki, a resident who witnessed the crash. “The matatu hit a bodaboda carrying a woman and some goods. The motorcyclist was thrown off, but the woman got trapped under the vehicle. We tried to lift it, but it was too late.”
Kasarani Sub-County Police Commander Emmanuel Rono confirmed the incident, stating that at least one person was confirmed dead at the scene, while three others were seriously injured and rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital. An additional nine people sustained minor injuries.
Preliminary reports suggest a possible brake failure as the cause of the crash. However, some accounts indicate the driver may have swerved to avoid a collision between a pickup and another motorcycle moments before losing control.
Footage from the scene captured the horror of the aftermath—mangled wreckage of the matatu, crushed motorcycles, scattered produce, and the bodies of the victims lying along the roadside. Screams of shock and panic filled the air as passersby rushed to assist.
The Githurai roundabout, known for its dense human and vehicular traffic, has long served as an informal marketplace. On any given day, hawkers display fruits, vegetables, and other goods, often inches from speeding traffic.
Online, Kenyans expressed grief and outrage. “This tragedy was waiting to happen,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter). “KeNHA and city authorities must regulate vendors on highways before more lives are lost.”
Another user echoed the call: “We need enforcement and better planning. Lives are worth more than business space.”
Authorities have launched an investigation into the accident and urged motorists to avoid the Githurai underpass as clean-up and rescue efforts continue.
As families mourn and survivors recover, the Githurai community is left grappling with a haunting question: Could this tragedy have been prevented?
