On a busy Friday afternoon, a potentially tragic incident unfolded on the Thika Superhighway, leaving passengers of a Latema Travels matatu in shock but thankful to be alive. The incident occurred near the entrance to Thika town when a large advertising billboard unexpectedly came loose from its base and toppled onto the moving vehicle. The sudden event caused panic among passengers who were traveling from Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) towards Makongeni. The matatu, filled with commuters going about their daily activities, was hit by the falling billboard, damaging its front section but sparing the lives of all on board.
Joseph Gatiba, the driver of the Latema Travels matatu, recounted the terrifying experience in an exclusive interview. He explained that while driving along the highway, he noticed the billboard swaying unusually, indicating that it might collapse. Gatiba’s quick instincts kicked in as he immediately hit the emergency brake, bringing the matatu to a sudden stop. His swift reaction was crucial in preventing a more severe impact, which could have had devastating consequences for the passengers. Gatiba described the moment as surreal, expressing disbelief that the billboard had actually fallen, and credited divine intervention for the minimal damage and lack of injuries.
The billboard’s fall caused a moment of chaos on the highway, with other motorists and pedestrians looking on in shock. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud crash as the billboard came down, sending debris scattering across the road. Many onlookers rushed to the scene, expecting the worst. However, much to everyone’s relief, the passengers inside the matatu were unharmed, save for a few who were shaken by the incident. The front section of the matatu bore the brunt of the impact, crumpling under the weight of the billboard, but the main passenger area remained intact, shielding the occupants from harm.
According to Gatiba, the situation could have been far worse. He explained that had he not seen the billboard moving and taken action immediately, the billboard would have likely struck the middle or rear section of the matatu, where most passengers were seated. Given the size of the billboard and the heavy metal rods supporting it, such an impact would have posed a serious threat to the lives of those inside. “It is just God,” Gatiba said, reflecting on how narrowly they avoided disaster. He noted that despite the terrifying experience, none of the passengers sustained injuries. “The rods holding up the billboard were very heavy, but thankfully, it only damaged the front part,” he added.
Traffic on the Thika Superhighway came to a standstill as the incident unfolded. The fallen billboard blocked part of the road, causing a traffic jam that stretched for several kilometers. Motorists were forced to slow down or come to a complete stop as they navigated around the debris. Some passengers from other vehicles disembarked to get a closer look, while others recorded videos of the scene on their phones. The incident sparked discussions about the safety of billboards along major highways, with many questioning the stability of these large advertising structures and the risks they pose to motorists and pedestrians.
Emergency services arrived on the scene shortly after the incident. Traffic police officers worked quickly to clear the road and direct vehicles away from the site, while a tow truck was called in to remove the damaged matatu. Workers from the billboard company were also seen assessing the situation and removing the fallen structure. It was evident that the base of the billboard had come loose, causing the entire structure to collapse onto the matatu. Authorities have since launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident and whether there were any lapses in the maintenance of the billboard.
This incident has raised concerns about the safety of large billboards erected near busy roads and highways. Many Kenyans took to social media to express their fears, calling for stricter regulations and regular inspections of these structures to prevent similar accidents in the future. The presence of numerous billboards along major roads is a common sight in Nairobi and its outskirts, as advertisers seek to capture the attention of motorists and pedestrians. However, questions are now being asked about whether these structures are being properly maintained and whether the risks they pose are being adequately addressed.
