NAIROBI, Kenya — Tensions flared along Thika Road near Juja Town on Monday, September 1, after a SuperMetro matatu was set ablaze following a fatal road accident. According to reports, the matatu allegedly struck a motorcyclist, sparking outrage among fellow riders who quickly mobilized and torched the vehicle.
At the scene, a motorcycle believed to have been involved in the accident lay on the tarmac, with the body of the rider nearby. Images from the scene showed thick black smoke and flames billowing from the matatu as the fire consumed its shell.
This latest incident comes months after a bus operated by Super Metro overturned in Juja, injuring several people. In a statement on Tuesday, June 10, the bus company detailed that a high-speed lorry had swerved along the road before colliding with the bus, which was ferrying passengers. No fatalities were reported, but two people sustained injuries.
“Super Metro Limited regrets to confirm that one of our buses was involved in a road incident this morning along Juja Road, involving a collision with a lorry. Preliminary reports indicate that the lorry was swerving at high speed before colliding with our bus,” the company’s statement read.
Super Metro added that the matter was being investigated in cooperation with the police after a report was filed at the Juja Police Station. The company also assured its passengers that it prioritizes safety and that the matter would be resolved conclusively.
“The incident has been reported to Juja Police Station, and Super Metro Limited is cooperating fully with the authorities to investigate the matter and ensure all necessary steps are taken. For further details, please contact Juja Police Station directly,” the statement continued.
“Super Metro Limited remains steadfast in upholding the highest standards of transport responsibility, prioritizing the safety and well-being of our passengers and the public. We are committed to resolving this matter and will continue to work closely with the relevant authorities.”
Earlier this year, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) had suspended Super Metro until the company fully complied with the Public Service Vehicles Regulations, 2014, and other set conditions.
In a statement on Thursday, March 20, NTSA explained that the decision was necessary to ensure the company was compliant and had implemented safety measures to protect the lives of its passengers and other road users.
“This is to notify the Public that the Authority has suspended Super Metro Limited’s operator license until the Company fully complies with the Public Service Vehicles Regulations, 2014 and other set conditions,” the NTSA statement read.
“The decision was necessitated by the need to ensure the Company is not only compliant, but that it has put in place safety measures to protect the lives of its passengers and other road users.”
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The Authority directed Super Metro to present 294 vehicles with various violations to the respective speed limiter vendors for compliance checks. These vehicles were also to be taken for inspection at the Likoni Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre to obtain compliance reports. Super Metro was also ordered to present 42 of its drivers for a retest at the Likoni Driver Test Centre.
“The Company must present forty-two (42) drivers, out of the one hundred and nine (109) drivers with speed violations, for a retest at the Likoni Driver Test Centre. We note that 64 of the Company’s drivers failed a retest on 10th March 2025 and this led to the suspension of their respective driving licenses,” the NTSA noted.
Additional directives included disengaging unqualified drivers, presenting signed contracts for its drivers and other staff (including proof of compliance with Section 5(1)(e)), providing a six-month record of staff payroll, PAYE, NSSF, and SHA remittances, and conducting a road safety sensitization for all its drivers.