Super Metro Driver & Conductor Expelled, Arrested For Driving On Wrong Side Of Thika Road [VIDEO]

Nairobi Metropolitan-based popular matatu Sacco, Super Metro, has confirmed that it has taken stern action on the driver and conductor of one of its buses which was captured in a viral video driving along Thika Road against traffic in contravention of the law.

In the 22-second clip obtained by Viral Tea, the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) branding the company's signature orange, navy blue and grey colours was spotted reversing in the middle of the busy highway before driving along the left-hand side of the opposite direction of the road.

The act sparked uproar with road users lamenting that the actions of the matatu had posed a great risk to motorists usually cruising at high speed along the busy road.

Here is the video:

ICYMI: Moment driver of Super Metro matatu was filmed driving to Nairobi CBD through the wrong side of Thika Road.

The driver as well as the conductor of the matatu have since been reportedly arrested.#ViralVideos pic.twitter.com/2A0C2RHgLv — Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) March 4, 2024

Others, however, argued that the driver resorted to taking the risk of driving against traffic given that the lane the vehicle was driving on along Thika Road was blocked and he had no choice but to reverse.

Super Metro in a statement on Monday, March 4 nonetheless stated that the driver was arrested over his brazen misconduct by the company's inspectors.

"Following today's incident of one of our drivers on Thika Road, we would like to inform the public that the driver has been apprehended by our company Inspectors following his misconduct of making a U-turn on the Thika Superhighway endangering other road users.

"He was submitted to Central Police Station and then later picked by Pangani Police where the incident was reported and from there, will be arraigned in court. Thank you for your continued support," stated the company.

Super Metro Chief Executive Officer (CEO) also confirmed the arrest of the conductor and the subsequent expulsion of the duo.

"We believe that a driver cannot reverse without collaborating with the conductor. It is now in the hands of the government to charge them in a court of law," he said.

According to the Traffic Act, driving on the wrong side is an offence that attracts a fine of Ksh10,000 imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months for first-time offenders.

Repeat offenders may be ordered to pay up to Ksh20,000 or be imprisoned for a term not exceeding six months or both.

Super Metro's continued desire for improvement in service delivery to Nairobi commuters has helped it win over its customer base. This is evident in Nairobians preferring to endure long queues at their termini within the Central Business District (CBD) to get a service where the customer is the king or queen and is treated as such.

In addition, it has put in place strict rules that investors, drivers and conductors have to follow or risk being kicked out of the Sacco.

This includes the vehicles being in tip-top shape all the time and if a bus is spotted having broken down while ferrying passengers which can attract disciplinary action.

What started as a matatu sacco that only operated the Kikuyu Route 105 and along Thika Road (Juja 236 to Makongeni 237) routes has grown to a matatu sacco that has virtually expanded to almost every corner of the Nairobi Metropolitan in response to growing customer demand, demand for cheaper fares and more Nairobians opting to settle in satellite towns.