Shocking Video Captures Man Falling from Speeding Matatu in Nairobi
A video has recently surfaced online showing a disturbing incident in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), where a man is seen falling from a speeding matatu. The vehicle in question, known as B613, operates on the Kiambu Road–CBD route and is renowned for its flashy appearance and vibrant youth following. The footage has sparked a conversation around the safety practices of Nairobi’s increasingly flamboyant public service vehicles.
The matatu, B613, made its debut on the roads in June 2023. Its name is derived from a fictional covert agency featured in the American television series Scandal, where B613 is portrayed as a secretive subdivision of the CIA involved in high-stakes and highly classified missions. True to its dramatic namesake, the matatu itself is no less conspicuous.
B613 is designed with extensive modifications that have become synonymous with Nairobi’s matatu culture. These include bold graffiti art, aftermarket lighting, off-cut rims, and an elaborate sound system. In addition, the vehicle is fitted with multiple TV screens, turning it into a mobile entertainment unit. The matatu quickly gained popularity, especially among young commuters who are drawn to its style, music, and the social atmosphere it fosters.
On its inaugural night, B613 was paraded through the CBD by a group of excited youths. As is typical with the launch of new, souped-up matatus, the vehicle’s arrival was marked by loud music, the blaring of horns, and an informal procession through the city streets. The event symbolized the arrival of a new player in the highly competitive and expressive matatu scene.
However, the very elements that make B613 and others like it appealing to some are the same factors that have raised concerns about public safety. In the video of the recent incident, B613 is seen speeding along Tom Mboya Street during nighttime hours. Several young individuals were seen hanging precariously onto the exterior of the vehicle. This risky behavior occurred as the matatu swerved into the wrong lane, taking advantage of the relatively light traffic at the time.
Tragically, the sharp movement caused one of the men clinging to the outside to lose his grip. As the matatu veered, his foot struck the ground, causing him to fall hard onto the tarmac. The fall was narrowly short of disaster, as he missed crashing into the metal poles that line the street to separate lanes. The impact shocked onlookers, and several boda boda riders and pedestrians rushed to his aid.
Miraculously, the man stood up almost immediately and attempted to walk away, despite appearing to be in pain. His survival without apparent serious injury was a stroke of luck. The matatu, after briefly pausing, continued on its way. The entire sequence of events, caught on video, has sparked outrage and concern among city residents and public transport stakeholders.
Kingsley Oduor, a matatu conductor who works the Kasarani route, spoke out about the dangers of such reckless behavior. He recounted a similar but more tragic incident involving a different matatu. “Catalyst, which used to ply the Ongata Rongai route, once ran over and killed a man who fell from the moving matatu,” he recalled. “I always make sure everyone is inside the vehicle before we move. The risk of injury or death is simply too high to ignore.”
His sentiments reflect a growing concern that, in the pursuit of aesthetic appeal and popularity, some matatu operators are compromising on basic safety protocols. The practice of allowing—or even encouraging—passengers to hang outside moving vehicles is not only illegal but endangers lives. Despite periodic crackdowns by authorities, the culture of risky antics continues to thrive, particularly among youth who view these matatus as symbols of status, rebellion, and urban identity.
Moreover, these vehicles often operate with little to no oversight, especially at night. The festive atmosphere inside and around such matatus sometimes leads to the blurring of lines between public transport and party venues on wheels. As the number of such incidents rises, questions are being asked about enforcement, the role of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), and the accountability of matatu owners and saccos (Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations) that manage them.
While Nairobi’s matatu culture is globally recognized for its creativity and cultural expression, incidents like this highlight the urgent need for balance. The city cannot afford to celebrate innovation at the cost of human life. Regulatory bodies must reassert their role and ensure that all public transport vehicles adhere to safety standards, regardless of how stylish or popular they may be.
For now, the man who fell from B613 may count himself lucky. But not everyone will be. Unless safety is prioritized and reckless behaviors curtailed, the next incident may not end with someone walking away.
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Shocking Video Captures Man Falling from Speeding Matatu in Nairobi
