A matatu driver fled after a head-on collision with a boda boda rider along the Mogonga-Kenyenga road in Kisii county on Monday, March 20.
According to witnesses, the driver, who was speeding, rammed into the bike, killing the rider on the spot and leaving the passenger with serious injuries.
Additionally, reports detailed that the driver fled before police officers arrived at the crime scene to assess the situation.
Area residents rushed to the scene to attempt to help the injured passenger.
"The matatu at high speed rammed into the boda boda and the driver died on the spot," the witness narrated.
After the accident, witnesses noted that police officers allegedly took two hours before arriving to take the rider's body.
"I urge boda riders to be cautious while on the road. It seems that the matatu was in the wrong," the witness emphasised.
However, police officers did not announce action against the driver when apprehended.
According to statistics from the National Safety and Transport Authority (NTSA), excessive speeding is one of the leading causes of road fatalities, including overtaking improperly, loss of control, etc.
NTSA detailed that one of the interventions to curb road fatalities was to create awareness and sensitise PSV drivers, boda-boda riders, passengers, pedestrians, and school children.
Other measures include registration of boda boda riders to the boda bod management system, support of the establishment of boda boda saccos, enhanced road safety awareness and sensitisation in the boda boda sector, and joint enforcement campaigns with the National Police Service (NPS).
Motorists are encouraged to be cautious on the road, especially during the rainy season, to reduce the number of fatalities.
Furthermore, NTSA noted that deaths recorded between January and December 13, 2022, increased to 4,432 from 4,271 in the same period in 2021.
