Editor's Review
A matatu driver has been charged with causing the deaths of three people in an alleged dangerous driving incident along Enterprises Road in Nairobi.
A matatu driver has been charged with causing the deaths of three people in an alleged dangerous driving incident along Enterprises Road in Nairobi.
In a statement on Thursday, September 17, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said it charged Sammy Murigi Maina over the deaths of Charles Brandy Wahome, Tamia Kalekya Nyambura and Edwin Kago.
The prosecution told the court that the incident occurred on June 3, 2026, at around 8.00pm along Enterprises Road, opposite KCB Bank in Nairobi County.
Maina was allegedly driving motor vehicle registration number KDU 887C, an Isuzu minibus operated by Risen Sacco, when he drove recklessly and dangerously, resulting in the deaths of the three victims.
The DPP said the manner in which the vehicle was allegedly driven amounted to a prohibited driving style under the Traffic Act.
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"The driver is said to have driven the vehicle in a dangerous format commonly referred to as “Manyoka” style contrary to Section 42(3) of the Traffic Act," the statement read.
According to the ODPP, Maina faces additional charges relating to his alleged conduct while driving the vehicle on the public road.
The prosecution accused him of driving a motor vehicle on a public road without due care and attention on two additional counts. He also faces a separate charge of driving an unroadworthy motor vehicle on a public road.
The prosecution further linked the accused's alleged actions to injuries sustained by two other people during the incident.
"The prosecution further alleges that his actions occasioned bodily harm to Eugene Ongundi and Domnic Mulwa," the statement added.
Maina denied all the charges brought against him.
This comes days after the DPP moved to extradite a Kenyan fugitive wanted in the United States of America to face sentencing following his conviction over a fatal drunk-driving offence.
In a statement on Thursday, September 10, the ODPP said it presented Sancho Kibutu before the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi to commence extradition proceedings following his arrest.
"The DPP today presented Sancho Kibutu before the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi to commence extradition proceedings following his arrest in Runda, Nairobi County," the statement read.
Kibutu is wanted by United States authorities pursuant to a formal extradition request dated December 3, 2019, submitted through the Office of the Attorney General and the U.S. Department of Justice.
"He was convicted in the United States of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated, contrary to Section 191.5(a) of the California Penal Code, together with three special allegations," the statement added.
According to the extradition request, Kibutu had been on the run since October 11, 2013, after failing to comply with an order issued by the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Madera, requiring him to appear for sentencing on October 28, 2013.
His more than 13-year period as a fugitive ended after Kenyan authorities arrested him in Nairobi in connection with the extradition proceedings.
"His long period as a fugitive came to an end on 9th September 2026, when he was arrested in Runda pursuant to a warrant issued by the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Milimani on 3rd September 2026," the statement further read.
Kibutu later appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Teresia Nyangena, where he sought to be released on bond or cash bail.
He told the court that he was willing to surrender his passport and comply with any conditions imposed by the court.
The DPP opposed his release, arguing that Kibutu posed a substantial flight risk because of the outstanding extradition request, the nature of the offence and his previous conduct of absconding from proceedings in the United States.
"After considering the application, the court declined to release Kibutu and ordered that he be detained at Gigiri Police Station pending further directions," the statement noted.
The matter will be mentioned on September 15, 2026, for further directions as the extradition proceedings continue.
