A fiery scene unfolded this afternoon along Thika Superhighway near Juja town, Kiambu County, after angry residents and boda boda riders set ablaze a 33-seater matatu belonging to Lopha Sacco. The bus was torched moments after it allegedly hit and killed a pedestrian along the busy highway.
Eyewitnesses said the matatu, which was speeding towards Nairobi, lost control and struck a pedestrian near the “Sewage area” in Juja, killing him instantly. What followed was chaos — a crowd quickly gathered, pulled the driver from the vehicle, and set the bus on fire. Within minutes, the matatu was engulfed in flames as thick black smoke rose into the afternoon sky.
Videos shared online showed the vehicle burning fiercely, paralyzing traffic on both sides of the Thika Superhighway. Motorists were forced to divert routes as police and firefighters raced to the scene. The driver was rescued from the enraged mob by officers who struggled to restore order.
Authorities from Juja Sub-county Police have since launched investigations into the crash, with preliminary reports suggesting possible speeding or mechanical failure. The burnt shell of the bus was later towed away as police cleared the debris to reopen the busy road.
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred along Thika Road. In September 2025, a Super Metro bus suffered a similar fate after allegedly knocking down a pedestrian, raising concerns over rising road rage and mob justice on Kenya’s highways.
Road safety advocates have condemned the Juja arson, warning that torching vehicles not only destroys key evidence but also endangers lives. They have urged the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and traffic police to tighten oversight on public service vehicles and ensure compliance with safety standards.
The Thika Superhighway — a vital artery linking Nairobi to central Kenya — has become a recurring scene of deadly accidents and mob reactions, exposing deep public frustration with the PSV sector and perceived impunity on the roads.
