Several Feared Dead After Matatu Hits Hawkers At Githurai

According to witnesses, a matatu lost control after hitting a bump, then plowed into pedestrians and roadside vendors.

Viral Tea Ke Writer Viral Tea Ke Writer
May 7, 2025 - 12:39 Updated: May 7, 2025 - 13:02
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Several Feared Dead After Matatu Hits Hawkers At Githurai
A large crowd milling around the scene where a matatu was involved in a grisly road accident at Githurai roundabout on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. /CITIZEN DIGITAL

Several people are feared dead and others injured after a horrific accident early Wednesday, May 7, near Githurai 45 on Thika Superhighway.

According to witnesses, a matatu lost control after hitting a bump, then plowed into pedestrians and roadside vendors.

The matatu, heading from Roysambu to Githurai 45, reportedly struck a vendor stand, killing an unspecified number of people.

Early reports suggest brake failure might have caused the driver to lose control, even as the exact cause of the driver losing control prior to the accident remain unknown.

A large crowd milling around the scene where a matatu was involved in a grisly road accident at Githurai roundabout on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. /MUOROTO FM

Others say the driver was swerving to avoid a crash between a pickup and a motorbike before veering off the road.

“The matatu was coming from town heading towards Thika. Upon reaching Githurai, it hit a motorcycle that had a woman and a few items, including goat heads,” said a local resident in an interview with Inooro TV.

“The motorcyclist fell, but the vehicle ended up trapping the woman underneath. We lifted the matatu and pulled her out, but it appeared she had already died.”

Emergency teams and police rushed to the chaotic scene, where crowds quickly gathered, according to videos and images seen by Viral Tea. Casualty reports vary, with between five to nine people either dying instantly or on the way to hospital.

Footage from the scene shows the matatu completely wrecked, bodies lying nearby, and shattered remains of two motorcycles believed to be part of the crash.

The area is typically packed with vendors selling fresh produce and commuters boarding matatus, making it one of the busiest commercial spots in the region.

Kasarani Sub-County Police Commander Emmanuel Rono confirmed the incident, reporting that three passengers sustained serious injuries, while nine others with minor injuries were taken to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment.

As the scenario unfolded, both traffic and business in the area came to a standstill, with crowds gathering to witness and assist in the rescue efforts. Authorities warned motorists to steer clear of the underpass, declaring it inaccessible.

Online, the tragedy sparked a wave of reactions. Netizens flooded social media with messages of condolence for the victims, while some took aim at road authorities like the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA), calling on them to tackle the growing problem of vendors operating along major highways.

A large crowd milling around the scene where a matatu was involved in a grisly road accident at Githurai roundabout on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. /X

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