Fury on Nairobi-Nakuru Highway: Boda Boda Riders Torch Matatu After Tragic Collision.
A 14-seater matatu operated by NNK SACCO was set ablaze by enraged boda boda riders on December 31, 2025, along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway in Gitaru following a fatal accident that killed a 22-year-old motorcycle operator.
According to Peter Wanjohi WA Nderitu, the tragic scenes unfolded along the Nairobi–Nakuru highway in Gitaru on Wednesday, 31, after a fatal accident that claimed the life of a boda-boda rider and an NNK matatu.
“Tragic scenes were witnessed near Gitaru Interchange after an NNK matatu was burnt down to ashes following a fatal accident that claimed the life of a bodaboda rider,” said Peter in a statement.
In addition, the public has been urged to exercise caution, patience, and responsibility on roads.
“Let us all exercise caution, patience, and responsibility on the road every life matters,” said Peter.
This incident, reported today highlights escalating road rage amid Kenya’s persistent traffic safety challenges.
Incident Details
The accident occurred when the matatu attempted a turn at a hazardous spot, striking the boda boda rider who was delivering a carpet and killing him instantly.
Furious riders blocked the highway, smashed windows, and torched the vehicle, leading to massive traffic jams and drawing crowds who watched the wreckage burn.
No arrests were immediately reported, but the event disrupted a key route connecting Nairobi to Nakuru.
Dramatic images and videos from the site showed the matatu engulfed in flames, thick black smoke rising as onlookers gathered in shock.
Elsewhere, on November 14, a mob of boda boda riders set a 33-seater minibus on fire after it reportedly ran over one of their colleagues near Mama Lucy Hospital in Embakasi Central, Nairobi.
According to reports, the accident occurred along Kangundo Road when the minibus attempted to swerve to avoid a collision with another oncoming vehicle.
The incident quickly drew the attention of locals, including fellow boda boda riders, who confronted the driver before the mob went on to torch the vehicle. Footage from the scene showed the minibus fully engulfed in flames as onlookers watched from a distance.
Kenya records over 3,000 road deaths annually, with matatus and boda bodas often implicated due to reckless overtaking, speeding, and poor vehicle maintenance.
Similar vigilante actions have surged: just days earlier on December 22, riders in Salgaa, Nakuru, burned a 65-seater Mash Poa bus after it killed two motorbike passengers, halting traffic for hours.
The Motorists Association of Kenya condemned such violence, calling for police intervention and prosecution.
The Gitaru blaze destroyed the matatu completely, forcing pedestrians to scatter while the driver escaped unharmed.
Social media footage spread rapidly, amplifying public outrage over recurring fatalities on highways like Nairobi-Nakuru and Meru-Nanyuki, where four died in a separate crash today.
Boda boda operators demand stricter enforcement, while authorities urge de-escalation to prevent mob justice.
Experts advocate for better road infrastructure, mandatory speed governors in PSVs, and rider training programs to curb these deadly trends.
Incidents like this underscore the urgent need for dialogue between matatu saccos, boda associations, and traffic police to foster safer roads. This coverage emphasizes accountability to break the cycle of tragedy and retaliation.