Kenyans have expressed their shock over the type of car that Busia Senator Okiyah Omtatah drives after he was involved in a road accident Friday, February 16.
Omtata was driving a Nissan Advan at the time of the accident, a vehicle known as a commercial delivery van and therefore popular among Kenyan businesspeople.
Nissan Advan is an economy station wagon that is built on the Nissan Wingroad platform.
A new Nissan Advan is valued between Ksh680,000 to Ksh750,000. Most of them are white or grey, with simple plastic front and rear bumpers and steel wheels.
Depending on the model, Nissan Advan might have power steering, lock doors, windows, air conditioning, and a stereo.
Reactions From Kenyans on Omtatah’s Vehicle
A section of Kenyans online questioned why the politician used such a car when he earned enough in salary to afford a luxury car like a Prado. Others wondered why he also did not hire a driver for his travels as it was reported that he was alone at the time of the accident.
According to Alinur Mohamed, the senator ought to be driving a Land cruiser or a V8 with 4 elite security officers.
“Why is Busia Senator Okiyah Omtatah driving such a useless car? Why a Nissan Wingroad Wagon of all the cars?
Also Read: Okiyah Omtatah Involved in a Road Accident
“A person of his class should be driving an Armored Land Cruiser V8 with 4 elite security officers guarding him. Kenyans are happy he is fine and did not sustain injuries,” he said.
On the other hand, a user named ‘the Government Critic’ lauded the senator indicating that he must be using most of his money to fight for the rights of Kenya.
“The guy has money but not cruising in big machines. Uses his resources to fight for the people mostly. The guy is so humbled. Who would wish to harm such a man though? May God be with him,” the user noted.
However, another user Steve Nyakagwa questioned the choice of vehicle used by the politician saying that the government gave him resources to afford a luxurious vehicle and he could be accused of fraud.
“Okiyah Omtatah driving a Nissan Advan is all okay. But you can find that he claims mileage equivalent to that of a Land cruiser V8 and the car grant he got was multiple times of what he bought. You don’t want to see that as a fraud case,” he said.
Also Read: Ruto’s Near-Accident Experience Puts KeNHA Under Fire
Omtatah Involved in Accident
Omtatah was on February 16, 2024, involved in a grisly road accident along the Kisumu-Busia highway.
He revealed that the accident happened at the Ojola area in Kisumu County while he was travelling to Busia, explaining that a trailer lost control and hit his vehicle causing him to veer off from the road.
Luckily, the senator did not sustain any injuries and was driven home to Busia County by officers from Maseno Police Station.
According to the latest National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) February 14, 2024, report, a total of 563 Kenyans lost their lives in road accidents between January 1 to February 11, 2024. Omtatah is a politician cum activist.
He made a name for himself for taking the government head on and challenging several policies, including then controversial Housing Levy.
