Lilian Nyiva
Two matatu crew members have been sentenced to 10 years in prison each for their role in the death of a college student who fell from a speeding public service vehicle along Thika Road. The case relates to the death of Doreen Kinya, a college student who was travelling in a matatu operating on the Githurai route on June 13, 2018. According to court records, the incident occurred near Queen of Apostles Church on Thika Road when she fell from the moving vehicle and sustained fatal injuries.
The High Court found the matatu driver, Amos Muigai Mwangi, and conductor, Alex Musembi Musyoka, criminally responsible for the student's death. The prosecution argued that the pair failed in their duty of care and that their actions led to Kinya being thrown from the moving vehicle.
Cause of the death
During the trial, witnesses testified that the matatu was speeding and that the passenger door remained open as the vehicle travelled along the busy highway. Evidence presented in court showed that the deceased had sought to alight safely, but the crew failed to stop at the appropriate location.
In its judgment, the court concluded that the conduct of the driver and conductor demonstrated gross negligence and disregard for passenger safety. The court further held that their actions directly contributed to the fatal fall that resulted in Kinya's death.
The case has drawn renewed attention to safety standards in Kenya's public transport sector, particularly the responsibility of matatu operators to ensure passengers board and alight safely. Road safety advocates have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of regulations governing public service vehicles to prevent similar tragedies.
The sentencing brings to a close a case that has been before the courts for several years since the fatal incident occurred in 2018. The two convicts will each serve 10 years in prison following the court's determination of their culpability in the student's death.
