Matatu crash causes chaos on northern bypass

An overturned matatu /HANDOUT

Hundreds of motorists were left stranded on Tuesday morning after a matatu overturned along the busy Northern bypass.

Eyewitnesses said the bus collided with a 14-seater matatu before overturning and partially blocking the busy highway, causing heavy traffic jam.

Photos and videos circulating online showed terrified passengers climbing out of the overturned bus as crowds gathered around the scene moments after the crash.

Some passengers screamed for help, causing good samaritans to rush to assist before emergency responders arrived.

Long queues of vehicles stretched across both sides of the bypass as frustrated motorists attempted to navigate the blocked section of the road.

“A matatu has fallen on its side, blocking the entire road at the Northern Bypass underpass on its way to town from Kahawa West. Traffic jam is massive,” one witness said.

Traffic police officers from Kahawa West and emergency rescue teams later arrived at the scene to help victims and restore order as efforts to clear the damaged vehicles started. Authorities had not immediately confirmed the number of injuries or fatalities by the time of publication.

Motorists were advised to use alternative routes to avoid delays while clearance operations remained underway.

The accident once again sparked debate among Kenyans on road safety, especially involving public service vehicles operating within Nairobi and its surrounding highways. Northern Bypass has in recent years witnessed multiple serious accidents due to speeding, congestion, reckless overtaking and heavy traffic pressure during rush hours.

Data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) paints a worrying picture of Kenya’s road safety situation. Between January and April this year alone, more than 1,189 people reportedly lost their lives in road accidents across the country, while thousands sustained serious injuries.

Kenyans have called for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and improved safety measures on major roads.

The incident serves as yet another reminder of the dangers facing commuters on Kenyan roads, where a routine morning journey can suddenly turn into a frightening ordeal within seconds.