A disturbing video went viral on Thursday, March 2, lifting the lid on what school going children endure while using Public Serve Vehicles popularly known as matatus.
In the video that was captured on the busy Thika Super Highway, pupils are seen scampering for safety to avoid being hit by oncoming cars.
The learners who had just been dropped by a matatu in the middle of the busy Super Highway, dashed to safety as they crawled under the road barriers.
"Matatu dropping pupils on the highway, at Kahawa Wendani Barracks," a witness reported on Ma3Route Twitter page.
Numbering about five of them, the children held each others hands as they formed a single file like soldiers on a marching order.
Led by matatu conductor, the children agonizingly went through the trench and climbed to the top.
By the roadside, the video showed them patiently waiting for a pedestrian pass that took too long due to heavy morning traffic.
After some minutes of nerve-racking wait, the children are seen striding between speeding cars towards Kahawa Wendani side.
Kenyans on Twitter wondered why the matatu driver decided to drop the children in the middle of Thika Super Highway.
"Lawlessness will dominate everywhere so long as you can buy your way. Ever heard CS transport talking about anything safety. Remember Michuki or you were not yet born?," one Benered Koech wondered.
However, some people shifted the blame to the parents of the children who were accused of neglecting their responsibilities.
"The conductor has done a good job anyway. Parents and teachers need to take more responsibility," Robert Kamau claimed.
According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), in 2022, the number of pedestrians who lost their lives in accidents were 1,486, followed by drivers at 378, passengers at 721, pillion passengers at 377 and pedal cyclists at 56.
