Several people were injured on Wednesday night following a road accident involving a 32-seater matatu along Enterprise Road in Nairobi’s Industrial Area.
The incident occurred after the vehicle reportedly overturned, causing panic among passengers and prompting an emergency response from rescue teams and members of the public.
According to witnesses at the scene, the matatu was being driven recklessly shortly before the accident. Some claimed that at least six passengers were hanging outside the vehicle as it moved along the busy road.
Witnesses further alleged that the driver was swerving dangerously moments before losing control, leading to the crash.
The accident quickly turned into a mass-casualty incident as injured passengers required urgent assistance. Some of those hurt are believed to have been among the passengers who were clinging to the outside of the vehicle when it overturned.
Members of the public rushed to help rescue victims before emergency responders arrived.
The Kenya Red Cross confirmed the incident and announced that its emergency response teams had been dispatched to the scene.
Rescue personnel worked alongside other responders to provide first aid and evacuate those who had sustained injuries. Efforts were also made to rescue individuals who were reportedly trapped beneath the wreckage.
In a statement, the humanitarian organization said a mass-casualty road traffic incident involving an overturned public service vehicle had occurred along Enterprise Road opposite Nairobi Prison.
The teams on site focused on providing medical assistance and supporting the evacuation of affected passengers.
The exact number of people who were on board at the time of the accident has not yet been established. However, some witnesses suspected that the vehicle may have been carrying more passengers than its designated capacity.
Police had not released an official statement by the time of reporting, but investigations were launched to determine the cause of the accident and establish the events leading up to the crash.
The incident has once again raised concerns about road safety and reckless driving on Kenyan roads. It comes only days after another serious accident near the Ole Sereni area along the Nairobi Expressway, where a Mercedes-Benz burst into flames after losing control and crashing into roadside barriers.
Footage from that incident showed the vehicle veering from its lane before hitting a guardrail and a concrete pillar.
Preliminary observations suggested the luxury car may have been struck from behind by another vehicle while changing lanes, causing the driver to lose control before the crash occurred.
Authorities continue to investigate both incidents.
