A young petrol station attendant has tragically lost his life after reportedly being thrown from a moving Super Metro bus along the busy Kitengela–Namanga Highway on the night of February 24, 2026.
Joseph Mureithi, 25, had just finished his shift in Athi River and boarded an overcrowded Super Metro bus (registration KDK 060H) heading towards Nairobi at about 11 p.m.
Witness accounts suggest confusion and conflict among the bus crew shortly after departure, resulting in Mureithi being ejected from the moving vehicle less than a kilometre from the pick-up point.
Moments later, the same bus reportedly ran over him before speeding off.
Paramedics later pronounced him dead on arrival at Shalom Hospital. Police have since arrested the driver and conductor of the bus, and the vehicle has been impounded as investigations continue.
An autopsy has been scheduled, while detectives appeal for more witnesses to come forward with information.
Mureithi’s family described him as their family’s breadwinner, supporting his mother and contributing to household needs. Relatives have called for justice and expressed deep disappointment at the circumstances surrounding his death.
Rising Safety Concerns in Public Transport
The incident adds to growing public concern over matatu safety standards in Kenya’s transport system.
Super Metro has been at the centre of controversy before: in March 2025, another passenger was reported to have died after being allegedly forced off a moving Super Metro bus over a small fare dispute on Thika Road, an episode that sparked nationwide outrage and drew scrutiny from regulators.
That case contributed to a broader regulatory crackdown on Super Metro operations.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) suspended the company’s operating licence in early 2026 due to numerous violations, including expired permits, speed limiter issues and crew non-compliance with safety regulations, warning the public against boarding the company’s buses.
However, in mid-February 2026, the Transport and Licensing Appeals Board lifted this suspension, allowing Super Metro to resume operations under stricter compliance oversight.
Road accidents remain a major public safety issue in Kenya, where poor enforcement of traffic laws, overcrowding, speeding and reckless behaviour among public service vehicle crews are frequently cited by authorities and commuters alike as contributing factors to passenger injuries and fatalities.
As the investigation into Mureithi’s death unfolds, calls for enhanced safety protocols, better crew training and rigorous enforcement of transport regulations are likely to gain renewed urgency.
FOLLOW NAIROBI NEWS ON FACEBOOK
