The tragedy occurred on January 31, 2026, when a 33-seater matatu reportedly lost control and veered off the busy highway, ramming into a group of teachers who were standing outside the school compound.
The educators had gathered at the institution to participate in Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) elections scheduled for the day.
According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle was travelling at high speed when it suddenly swerved, crashed into roadside barriers, and overturned before hitting the unsuspecting teachers.
The impact was devastating, throwing several victims metres away while others were trapped beneath the wreckage.
Videos and images shared online showed the matatu lying on its side as rescue operations unfolded.
First responders and members of the public were seen frantically pulling victims from beneath the vehicle, some of whom were unresponsive.
“When we arrived at the scene, the situation was horrifying,” said one witness.
“There were multiple casualties with severe injuries — head injuries, broken limbs, deep cuts, and some victims were badly mutilated.”
Emergency medical teams rushed 14 injured teachers to Guru Nanak MP Shah Hospital and Kenyatta National Hospital, where they were admitted for urgent treatment.
Hospital officials confirmed receiving patients with critical injuries, though full details of their conditions were yet to be released by the time of publication.
Several witnesses indicated that the accident may have been caused by brake failure, with the driver reportedly unable to regain control of the vehicle along the busy stretch of road.
“The matatu lost control due to brake failure, hit the guardrails, and overturned before crashing into the teachers,” another eyewitness recounted.
The force of the collision caused widespread panic as onlookers screamed for help and rushed to the scene.
Traffic along Thika Road was temporarily disrupted as police cordoned off the area to allow rescue operations and begin investigations into the cause of the crash.
KUPPET officials immediately suspended the union elections following the incident, as members focused on assisting victims and accounting for colleagues who had been attending the event.
Union leaders described the accident as a dark day for teachers across the country.
“This is a devastating loss for the education sector. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and those fighting for their lives in hospital,” said a union official at the scene.
By the time this report was filed, no official statement had been issued by the government, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), or the police regarding the exact number of fatalities or the circumstances leading to the crash.
The accident has renewed public concern over road safety along Thika Road, one of Nairobi’s busiest highways, which has been the scene of numerous fatal accidents in recent years.
Kenyans online questioned the mechanical condition of public service vehicles and called for stricter enforcement of safety regulations.
As investigations continue, families of the victims have begun arriving at hospitals and the accident scene, searching for information about their loved ones.
Authorities are expected to release an official update once identification of the deceased is completed.
0 Comments