Several students were injured when the 14-seater matatu they were traveling in was involved in an accident on the busy Thika Road highway.
According to bystanders who witnessed the accident on Friday, April 4, the matatu lost control, swerved off the road, and plunged into a ditch.
While the exact cause of the crash is still unknown, locals believe the driver may have been speeding or trying to overtake another vehicle when it lost control.
Residents in the area quickly responded, rushing to help trapped students from the wreck.
They succeeded in rescuing the injured and took them to nearby hospitals for medical attention.
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Images from the scene showed the matatu badly damaged and lying on its side, surrounded by students and concerned members of the public.
The accident comes barely a day after the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) announced a crackdown in a bid to mitigate road accidents during the Easter festivities and school holidays.
In a statement on Thursday, April 3, NTSA noted that close supervision of children and the identification of safe vehicles will be critical in preventing road accidents.
"As school children travel home for the holidays, there is an urgent need for all players within the road transport sector to put measures in place to ensure their safe passage. Close supervision of children and the identification of safe vehicles to transport them will play a critical role in ensuring their safety.
As such, NTSA said it will be conducting a crackdown targeting driver/conductor behavior and vehicle safety compliance.
"Working with the National Police Service during this period and the Easter festivities, there will be major focus on driver/conductor behavior, vehicle safety compliance, and Usalama Barabarani education.
"All motorists are therefore required to practice road safety and take responsibility for their actions," the statement continued.
