A Nairobi court has denied bail to a matatu driver facing charges over a June crash along Enterprise Road that left three passengers dead and others injured, with the court ruling that the prosecution had presented sufficient reasons for him to remain in custody for now.
Highlights
- Sammy Murigi Maina has been denied bail by a Nairobi court.
- He faces three charges of causing death by dangerous driving.
- Three passengers died in the June 3, 2026 crash.
- The prosecution has also accused him of driving without due care and using an allegedly unroadworthy vehicle.
- The court ordered that Maina receive medical treatment while in custody.
Main Story
Driver Denied Bail
Sammy Murigi Maina will remain in custody after a Nairobi court declined to release him on bail over a fatal crash along Enterprise Road.
Magistrate Paul Mutai ruled that the prosecution had demonstrated compelling reasons to keep Maina in custody at this stage of the case.
However, the court directed that the accused be taken to hospital for medical attention.
Maina was arrested almost two months after the June 3 crash and later brought before the court to face several traffic-related charges.
Three Passengers Died
Maina is facing three counts of causing death by dangerous driving under Section 46 of the Traffic Act.
The prosecution alleges that he was driving an Isuzu minibus, registration number KDU 887C, operated by Risen Sacco, along Enterprise Road near KCB Bank at about 8pm when the crash occurred.
According to the charge sheet, the vehicle was being driven dangerously before Maina allegedly lost control while negotiating a roundabout.
The minibus reportedly hit a kerb, overturned and came to rest across the road.
The three people named as having died in the crash are Charles Brandy Wahome, Tamia Kalekye Nyambura and Edwin Kago.
Two other people, Eugene Ongundi and Dominic Mulwa, are listed as having sustained injuries.
More Traffic Charges
In addition to the fatal-driving charges, Maina faces two counts of driving without due care and attention.
The prosecution has also charged him with operating an unroadworthy vehicle.
Investigators have cited several alleged defects on the minibus, including an obstructed emergency exit and reduced passenger headroom reportedly linked to installed multimedia screens.
Other alleged issues include modified passenger seats, unsecured power inverters inside the driver’s cabin, dark reflective tint on passenger windows and changes to the dashboard that prosecutors claim affected the driver’s view of the road.
‘Manyoka’ Allegations
The case also includes allegations that the matatu had been involved in dangerous driving manoeuvres commonly referred to as “manyoka” shortly before the fatal collision.
The allegations are yet to be tested in court.
Maina remains presumed innocent unless and until the prosecution proves the charges against him beyond reasonable doubt.
Case to Proceed
With the bail application declined, Maina will remain in custody as the prosecution prepares to call its witnesses.
The court is expected to hear evidence relating to the circumstances of the crash, the alleged condition of the vehicle and the driving conduct that preceded the collision.
The proceedings will determine whether the allegations against Maina can be substantiated.
As the case moves to the evidence stage, the court will ultimately have to determine what happened on Enterprise Road and whether the charges against the driver can be proved.
