The matatu set ablaze by riders along Juja Road/HANDOUT



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A gang of bodaboda riders pursued and set on fire a matatu after it allegedly ran over one of them in an accident along Juja Road in Nairobi.

This is the latest such tragedy to happen in the country amid an outcry on the unregulated and rogue riders.

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The matatu was racing towards the city centre when the incident happened on Friday, January 23, 2026.

The rider who was moving in the opposite direction is said to have been hit by another rider before he landed on the road where the matatu was.

The matatu ran over him, killing him on the spot.

This prompted the driver to drive off from the scene in fear for his life. He stopped a few metres ahead after being blocked by other riders and running into a jam, and fled on foot, witnesses said.

The riders were joined by other pedestrians in attacking the matatu, shattering its panes before they set it on fire, police said.

This was after about 30 passengers on board had escaped unhurt. The matatu was burnt and reduced to ashes before police towed the wreckage to the local station.

The body of the rider was moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy. Police condemned the incident, saying they are investigating it.

A team is investigating the incident and others that have been reported in the city, police said.

The incident caused heavy traffic disruptions and sparked condemnation from the Motorists Association of Kenya and renewed fears over the rising trend of mob justice by boda boda riders following road accidents.

This is the latest such incident to happen in the past three months. Up to five vehicles have been burnt by the riders after fatal accidents.
The incidents happened in the city, Nakuru and along Thika Road.

They all remain under probe, police said on Saturday. 
There are calls to regulate the boda boda industry at large as part of efforts to address such incidents.

Police said they are investigating the incidents.

According to the police, they have made little progress in solving the cases so far reported.

Police say bodaboda riders are troublesome on many routes.