Drama unfolded after a woman smashed the windscreen of a public service vehicle over an unknown dispute on Luthuli Avenue in Nairobi on Wednesday, March 11, with preliminary reports linking it to a KSh1,000 fare dispute.
The woman had allegedly given the conductor the KSh1,000 note while travelling to Nairobi CBD to take her sister back to school from Buruburu.
Upon the woman’s arrival at the bus stop, the conductor vanished without giving her change. The woman took the initiative to report to the driver.
However, despite the woman reporting the incident and seeking help in getting her balance, the driver dismissed her and told her to do “what she wanted”.
The actions of both the driver and the conductor constitute a traffic-related offence and carry a penalty of KSh 3,000.
“Failure to refund fare paid for incomplete portion of journey for which full fare has been paid—penalty 3,000,” section 101(2) of the Traffic (Minor Offenses) Rule states.
A video circulating online shows the woman holding a hand-sized brick that she later swings to break the windscreen before trying to flee as the driver pursues her.
Members of the public, as well as her sister, were seen trying to protect the woman from the driver, who violently snatched the woman’s bag.
“This one she must pay,” the driver is heard stating amid the shouting from the crowds that had gathered.
Public Reaction to the Matatu Drama
The incident has sparked divided views online, with some supporting the woman’s action while others argue that the woman could have chosen a better solution.
Others have said they have been in the same situation, and no actions have been taken against the matatu owners whatsoever.
“This matatu refused to give me back my 920 KSh, and I went to the Sacco officials, and they did nothing concerning the issue…How should this issue of rogue matatus be addressed?” Cliff Lisanza commented, attaching a photo of the specific vehicle.
He called upon the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the National Police Service (NPS) to take immediate action against offenders.
Also Read: Traffic Offences That Will Attract Instant Fines of Ksh10,000 from NTSA
On the other hand, some are criticizing the woman for her anger and rushed decision to smash the windscreen, rather than making a formal complaint to the relevant Matatu Sacco.
“Out of the many actions she could have taken, breaking the windscreen is not one of them. She could have reported to the Sacco officials at the stage and involved the police at that intersection. All fails, report to NTSA,” stated Queen Nefertiti.
Other cases involving Matatu misconduct
On March 9, 2024, videos circulating online captured a heated moment between a driver of the Super Metro fleet and another motorist in the middle of a highway.
The Super Metro employee was roughing up another driver, while a bus and a car remained parked by the roadside.
In a separate incident on March 4, another driver attached to the company was recorded making a wrong turn along Thika Road.
Also Read: Super Metro Passenger Dies After Being Thrown Out Of Speeding Bus
On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, a middle-aged man, Gilbert Thuo Kimani, allegedly died after being thrown out of a moving Super Metro bus.
According to eyewitness reports, the incident was triggered by a fare dispute between Gilbert and the bus conductor on the bus en route to Kahawa Wendani.
The conductor allegedly demanded Ksh 80, but Gilbert only had Ksh 50, leading to a heated exchange that resulted in Gilbert’s death.
Recently, a 25-year-old man was reportedly pushed off a Super Metro bus on the Kitengela–Namanga Highway. The victim, Joseph Mureithi, was reportedly thrown out of the vehicle at around 11 pm near Shalom Hospital.
