A matatu that hit and damaged a police car in chaos along Moi Avenue, Nairobi on Sunday is being held, Deputy Police Commandant Richard Kerich confirmed.
The Nairobi deputy boss also stated that the driver of the matatu had escaped and was yet to be located.
Kerich stated: “Yes, we have the matatu which was causing a lot of chaos in town. We detained it at around 7 pm yesterday but the driver escaped. We are, however, looking for him and others who caused the disturbance.”
Traffic police officers on duty along Moi Avenue in Nairobi were surprised when the pimped up matatu hit their patrol car destroying the rear bumper and boot in the shocking incident captured on video.
On realizing the damaged caused, the matatu driver engaged top gear and fled the scene even as the jolted three officers inside the car reacted by lobbing tear gas canisters at the rowdy youth.
As the matatu sped off towards University Way, some of the youth scampered for safety across the road and into Jevanjee Gardens.
The matatu christened TY Dollar belongs to the NAWASAKU Sacco which plies the Kahawa-Kenyatta University route along Thika Superhighway.
A friendly competition between matatu routes with the best graffiti, LED screens, WIFI, superb music systems and interior decorations was the genesis of the road rage incident.
Youth, who had turned out in large numbers, took the opportunity to enjoy free rides along Moi Avenue in a loud and boisterous show which showcased the unruly behaviour on Kenyan roads.
Drivers were bouncing the matatus on the road, while some honked and screeched on the brakes, swaying the vehicles from side to side as the youths hang dangerously from the windows and the door.
