A matatu driver's blunder has seen auctioneers seize his employer’s property to offset a Ksh 21 million bill.
John Kariuki was accused of causing an accident on October 12, 2012, after he crashed a matatu along Karatina-Mukurweini road in Nyeri County.
The accident affected one of his passengers, Kevin Duke Ombangi, a university student by then. His family argued that he was crippled and his studies were also halted due to the driver’s recklessness.
The court on June 8, 2018, directed Kariuki to compensate Ombangi's father Ksh 20,200,000. The amount comprised of interests and damages.
This was after the student's father filed a suit against the driver and his employer, Noor Ahmed, seeking compensation for Ksh3,835,512 medical treatment in Kenya and Ksh 1.8 million for his treatment in India.
They also demanded cover for future costs that would be incurred through treating the then United States International University (USIU) student.
“Examination revealed that the patient is conscious however with no audible speech,” a medical report dated October 2016 stated.
With the driver, John Kariuki, being unable to pay the compensation fee, the matatu owner, Noor Ahmed, was directed to take charge of the responsibilities.
Noor was dragged in the matter owing to the fact that he was the employer and despite the fact that he had no connection whatsoever to the accident.
In 2018, Noor and Kariuki failed to honour court orders and in August 2020, the family of the victim moved to court to file a suit against the duo, alleging that they had disobeyed court orders.
They also sought orders to have Noor's property auctioned to raise Ksh 21 million. The money included Ksh 20,200,000 compensation fee plus Ksh 1 million interest.
Icon auctioneers seized Noor's property, a company and its assets, following a ruling by the court.
