Several Injured as PSV Bus Overturns on Thika Superhighway Near Roysambu

A tragic accident occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, September 8, 2024, along the busy Thika Superhighway in Nairobi, resulting in several people being injured. The incident took place near the Roysambu roundabout, a key area that serves as a junction between Thika Road and Roysambu Estate, close to TRM Mall, a popular shopping destination. The accident involved a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) bus that overturned, causing chaos and panic among passengers and passersby.

According to reports, the accident happened just a few minutes before 4 p.m. when the PSV bus lost control and flipped over. The exact cause of the accident remains unclear, but several factors, including reckless driving, speeding, or mechanical failure, could have contributed to the unfortunate event. Eyewitnesses shared videos and images from the scene on social media, with many expressing their shock and concern over the safety of those involved. The sight of the overturned bus, with passengers trapped inside, attracted a lot of attention, especially from people who were either passing by or working near the area.

A Video shows the harrowing moments after the accident, as bystanders rushed to the scene to help. Some of the passengers were seen being pulled out of the wreckage, visibly injured and in pain. Those at the scene made frantic calls for emergency services to arrive, with some urging authorities to act quickly to prevent further casualties. The overturned bus was reportedly blocking part of the road, causing significant traffic disruptions on one of Nairobi’s busiest highways. With evening traffic usually building up around that time, motorists had to navigate the congested road as they tried to make their way past the accident site.

The number of passengers on board the bus at the time of the accident remains unknown. However, the footage and eyewitness accounts suggest that several individuals were injured, with some appearing to have sustained serious injuries. Passengers who were able to free themselves from the bus were seen limping or lying on the side of the road, waiting for medical assistance. The injured were later transported to nearby hospitals, including Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), which is one of the major medical facilities along the highway. Medical teams from different emergency response units, including the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) and the Kenya Red Cross, were mobilized to assist the injured.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by road accidents in Kenya, particularly on major highways such as Thika Superhighway. Over the years, there has been a significant rise in road accidents in the country, with reckless driving, speeding, and poor road conditions often cited as major contributing factors. Despite ongoing efforts by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to regulate traffic and improve road safety, such accidents continue to claim lives and cause injuries across the country.

This specific stretch of Thika Road, near Roysambu, has witnessed numerous accidents in the past due to the high traffic volumes and the presence of numerous pedestrian crossings and intersections. The area is also a hub for PSV vehicles, which are often involved in accidents due to the high speeds at which they operate in an attempt to beat traffic or reach their destinations faster.

In the aftermath of the accident, calls for better road safety measures and stricter enforcement of traffic rules have intensified. Many Kenyans are demanding that PSV operators be held accountable for their driving practices, especially given the large number of accidents involving public transport vehicles. Furthermore, some have suggested that increased police patrols and the installation of more traffic cameras along the highway could help curb the rampant speeding and reckless behavior often seen on the road.

As investigations into the cause of the accident continue, authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution when using the highway. They have also encouraged members of the public to report any reckless driving or suspicious activities that may put other road users at risk. For now, the focus remains on the injured passengers, many of whom are receiving medical care in local hospitals as they recover from their injuries. The authorities have promised to update the public on the full details of the incident once all investigations have been completed.