30 Injured After Matatu Full Of Passengers Overturns & Plunges Into River

A passenger bus has overturned and plunged into a river at Waruku, just off Waiyaki Way in Nairobi

Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai shared footage from the scene and appealed to the Kenya Red Cross Society and St. John Ambulance for emergency assistance.

"We have a major accident in Waruku. A 33-seater bus has plunged into the river. We are asking for rescue services," he wrote.

Nairobi County’s Environment Chief Officer, Geoffrey Mosiria, also confirmed the news through his Facebook page, sharing more details regarding the number of passengers injured following the accident.

Collage of a passenger bus which plunged into a river in Nairobi just off Waiyaki Way. /ROBERT ALAI

"Emergency: A bus has plunged into a river at Waruku, off Waiyaki Way. Over 30 injured, with more than 20 at Riverside Medical Center. More ambulances are urgently needed," he stated.

Viral Tea has established that the vehicle plunged into the Mashagusha stream in Waruku Village, Kileleshwa — a tributary of the Kitusuru River in Nairobi.

Photos showed the bus had plunged on its side, with scores of onlookers surrounding the accident scene. Worrying scenes had shown a few individuals lying next to the crash, appearing motionless. 

With the bus lying on its side, rescuers were forced to pull out injured passengers through the windows as civilians worked together to help one another.

By the time of going to press, no fatalities had been confirmed, though several people were seriously injured. Rescuers and bystanders were seen rushing to assist the injured, with some victims lying on rocks and along the riverbank as others were carried to safety.

The bus, which had toppled onto its side, was partially submerged in the water as people climbed over it to reach those trapped inside.

Several injured passengers were pulled out through the windows, while others lay on the ground nearby, visibly in pain.

Dagoretti North Member of Parliament (MP) Beatrice Elachi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic accident at Waruku, along the road to Gatina, involving what has since been revealed to be a Latema Sacco bus, which operates to and from the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).

She noted that rescue efforts were still underway and called on Kenyans to keep the injured in their prayers as they receive treatment in hospital.

“The hardworking parents left home this morning to seek their families’ daily bread, but, sadly, will not get home. My heart goes out to all the affected families during this painful moment,” she said.

“To the families who have lost their loved ones, please accept my sincere condolences and prayers for strength. I sincerely thank the medical team and our local emergency responders for their swift response and tireless efforts in saving lives.”

Accident Statistics Right Now

As of September 2025, data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) shows that 3,397 people lost their lives in road crashes within the first nine months of the year. In total, 17,270 people were affected through deaths, serious injuries, and minor injuries, which is about 291 more compared to the same period in 2024.

The breakdown of fatalities paints a grim picture of the most vulnerable road users. Pedestrians accounted for the highest share with around 1,285 deaths, followed by 858 motorcyclists. Passengers contributed to about 568 fatalities, while 309 drivers also lost their lives in the same period.

The numbers mark a slight increase from last year, indicating that while certain interventions may have curbed accidents in short windows — for example, between January and March 2025, when fatalities dropped by 2.5% compared to 2024 — the overall trend for the year remains concerning.