A matatu driver found himself in a tense situation as he resorted to using a traffic policewoman as a shield to protect himself from an enraged crowd after causing an accident at Bee Centre along Manyanja Road in Nairobi on Monday, July 3.
The incident unfolded when the driver allegedly injured a boda-boda rider along the road, infuriating nearby boda-boda riders who swiftly confronted the driver.
With tempers flaring, the mob closed in on the matatu driver, demanding retribution. In a bid to escape harm, the driver sought refuge behind a traffic policewoman, who brandished her baton to disperse the crowd.
Fearing for his safety, the driver clung onto the officer, using her presence as a shield against the wrath of the angry mob.
Shortly after, another officer arrived at the scene to support her colleague in managing the rowdy group of boda-boda riders.
Expressing their frustration, one of the motorbike riders lamented, "Traffic police officers are often known to accept bribes and tend to turn a blind eye to such atrocities."
"Why don't they show us respect?" questioned another rider.
The riders called upon the Ministry of Transport to implement policies that would safeguard them from similar incidents and seek justice for their injured colleague.
They highlighted that numerous incidents go unaddressed as matatu drivers often flee the scene.
NTSA Statistics
According to the latest statistics from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), a total of 974 fatalities were reported from road accidents between January and March 2023.
Pedestrians accounted for the highest number of casualties with 330, followed by boda-boda riders at 265, and passengers at 171.
However, these numbers marked a decrease compared to the previous year's figure of 1,021 during the same period.
NTSA urged all road users to adhere to traffic laws and exercise caution while traveling on busy roads throughout the country. They specifically emphasized the importance of drivers not jeopardizing their own lives and the lives of their passengers, particularly during the rainy season when hydroplaning poses a significant threat.