The accident occurred in the early morning near Capital Center in Nairobi, leaving commuters in distress.
The matatu, which belongs to Rembo Shuttle Sacco, lost control before veering off the road and landing in a ditch.
According to eyewitnesses, the impact was so severe that the vehicle's front section and windscreen were completely shattered. Smoke was also seen coming from the wreckage.
Videos and images from the scene showed desperate passengers struggling to exit the matatu through windows after the main door jammed due to the crash.
Authorities are yet to confirm the exact cause of the accident, but some reports suggest the vehicle was overlapping when it lost control.
This accident comes at a time when public service vehicles (PSVs) are under strict monitoring due to increasing concerns about road safety.
Recently, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) revoked the operating license of Super Metro Sacco after discovering multiple violations.
NTSA found that 15 of Super Metro’s 523 vehicles had expired inspection certificates, while eight lacked valid Road Service Licenses (RSL).
As a result, the Sacco was forced to conduct an urgent inspection of its fleet, with 294 buses undergoing checks on Saturday.
Following the NTSA crackdown, Metro Trans, a rival Sacco, temporarily suspended its services to train and educate its staff on road safety regulations.
The increased scrutiny aims to curb reckless driving and ensure that public transport operators comply with traffic laws.
Sunday’s accident was not the first of its kind on the busy highway. In December, another PSV overturned near Maanzoni, injuring several passengers.
Witnesses reported that the driver had swerved to avoid a collision, causing the vehicle to lose control.
Authorities continue to urge matatu operators to observe traffic rules to prevent such incidents.
Passengers are also encouraged to report reckless driving to ensure their safety while traveling.
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