Pink School Matatu Overturns on Thika Road, Sparks Traffic Chaos

Nairobi — Panic gripped motorists on Thika Road this morning after a pink 14-seater matatu ferrying school children overturned near Garden City Mall.

The accident occurred during peak rush hour when the van, reportedly speeding, lost control and flipped onto its roof while heading towards TRM Mall. Quick-thinking passersby and first responders rushed to the scene, rescuing the children and placing them safely on the roadside. Images and footage shared by Kenyans.co.ke showed the young learners seated calmly on the inner lane, although details about the severity of their injuries remain unclear. The injured were taken to hospital for treatment.

The crash triggered a major traffic jam stretching from Githurai 45 to Garden City, severely affecting both lanes heading into Nairobi’s CBD. Police officers, boda boda riders, and local authorities worked together to rescue the children and clear the wreckage.

Notably, the matatu violated key transport regulations, drawing criticism from the public and transport authorities. It lacked the mandatory yellow paint required for school transport vehicles, instead sporting a bright pink colour. According to NTSA guidelines, all school buses must be painted yellow (code FFD800), bear the “School Bus” label, and be equipped with flashing red lights, seatbelts, a stop arm, and complaint hotlines.

The accident has renewed concerns over the lax enforcement of NTSA’s school transport safety regulations. The authority has warned of penalties, including fines, impounding, and suspension of operating licences, for non-compliant operators.

NTSA data shows that Kenya recorded 1,139 road accident deaths between January and March 2025—a slight improvement from 1,166 fatalities during the same period in 2024. The latest incident underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of school transport safety rules.