Matatu driver charged over deadly Enterprise Road crash

Sammy Murigi Maina appeared before Magistrate Paul Mutai following his arrest after allegedly evading police for nearly two months.

According to the charge sheet, Maina faces three counts of causing death by dangerous driving contrary to Section 46 of the Traffic Act, Cap 403 of the Laws of Kenya.

The prosecution alleges that on June 3, 2026, at about 8pm, Maina was driving Isuzu minibus registration number KDU 887C, operated by Risen Sacco, along Enterprise Road opposite KCB Bank in Nairobi County.

The prosecution further alleges that Maina drove the vehicle recklessly and dangerously, lost control while negotiating a roundabout and hit the kerb, causing it to overturn and land across the road. Three passengers named in the charge sheet, Charles Brandy Wahome, Tamia Kalekye Nyambura and Edwin Kago, are alleged to have died at the scene.

Maina also faces two counts of driving a motor vehicle on a public road without due care and attention contrary to Section 49(1) of the Traffic Act. These counts relate to passengers Eugene Ongundi and Dominic Mulwa, who the prosecution alleges sustained bodily injuries in the crash.

The court was also presented with a separate charge accusing Maina of driving an un-roadworthy motor vehicle contrary to Section 55(1), as read with Section 58(1) of the Traffic Act.

The charge sheet lists several alleged defects on the vehicle, including an obstructed emergency exit, compromised passenger headroom caused by multimedia screens, modified passenger seats, unsecured power inverters in the driver's cabin, dark reflective tint on passenger windows and a modified dashboard that allegedly obstructed the driver's view of the road.

The allegations come against the backdrop of widespread reports that the matatu was involved in dangerous manoeuvres commonly known as "manyoka" shortly before the crash.

Maina will remain in remand for five days, after which the court will deliver its ruling on cash bail.