Super Metro Limited has issued a formal response to the death of a passenger allegedly ejected from one of its buses late on February 24 along the Kitengela-Namanga Highway.
“Super Metro Limited is aware of reports concerning a serious incident that allegedly occurred on 24/2/26 in Kitengela at 11pm. Our vehicle KDK 060H enroute from Kitengela to Nairobi CBD with 32 passengers on board was stopped by an irate mob of boda boda riders claiming that the conductor had pushed a passenger from the bus. This came as a surprise to all on board,” read part of the statement.
The firm stated that preliminary details point to a fatality resulting from the incident. The bus is impounded at Athi River police station, with the driver and conductor held in custody.
Super Metro emphasized it is cooperating fully with law enforcement and the National Transport and Safety Authority throughout the ongoing investigation. It has also started an internal review to examine whether any operational practices contributed and to explore enhancements for passenger safety.
The operator expressed profound regret over the loss and extended condolences to the deceased's family and everyone affected. It called on the public to provide any additional information directly to authorities.
Witness and family accounts name the victim as 25-year-old Joseph Mureithi, a petrol station attendant who boarded near Shalom Hospital in Athi River after his shift. Reports claim he was pushed out less than a kilometre from the stage, then run over by the bus, which continued without stopping. He died from his injuries at hospital.
Passengers recalled the bus being overcrowded, with crew actions described as disorganized and aggressive before the ejection. Mureithi's relatives have pressed for rapid justice, describing the event as avoidable.
A standby Directorate of Criminal Investigations patrol vehicle pursued and stopped the bus shortly after the incident. Police arrested the driver and conductor, impounded the vehicle, and towed it to Athi River police station where both remain detained.
Witness Juma Otieno recounted: “He boarded the vehicle, and it left. When it reached down there, it was like a commotion started, and the young man was pushed out of the vehicle and fell to the ground. I thought he had just fallen normally, but when I got there, I realised he had fallen and his head had burst.”
Family member Patrick Muthomi said: “Instead of throwing someone out, it would have been better to tell him the money was not enough and ask him to get out and wait for the next vehicle. Our young man has now left us just like that. He had just come from work and boarded a matatu to take him to Mlolongo. They simply threw him out, ran over him and fled without caring.”
The case spotlights recurring issues in Nairobi's matatu operations. Super Metro runs extensive services on commuter corridors like Kitengela, offering affordable links for workers in satellite towns.
The Kitengela-Namanga Highway sees heavy daily traffic of buses, boda bodas, and cars. While sections have undergone upgrades by Kenya National Highways Authority to ease flow and cut crashes, regulatory enforcement on capacity, conduct, and nighttime risks lags in practice.
Kenya's road toll remains high, with public transport users vulnerable per NTSA and global stats. The authority, since 2012, sets vehicle and driver standards but faces compliance challenges across operators.
Super Metro, a major player in the sector, has dealt with service scrutiny before. Its latest statement prioritizes safety as a core value while deferring to the probe for full facts.
Overcrowding persists as crews push loads for revenue, especially at night when visibility drops and fatigue rises on highways with spotty lighting.
Police will review speed, vehicle state, passenger numbers, and timelines. NTSA can levy fines or suspensions for confirmed breaches.
The incident renews pressure for tighter matatu oversight amid economic pressures on operators. Ministry efforts for tech like speed limiters and tracking see uneven rollout due to costs.
As inquiries advance, Super Metro's cooperation pledge aims to address immediate fallout while the family seeks closure.
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