Vihiga Boda Boda Riders Torch Matatu, Loot Soda Trailer After Fatal Crash Sparks Chaos

A fatal road accident near Luanda market in Vihiga County on Saturday morning led to the death of a motorbike rider and the torching of a matatu, disrupting transport along the Kisumu-Busia highway.

According to initial reports, the 14-seater matatu lost control and struck the boda boda rider, who died at the scene. The incident quickly escalated when fellow boda boda operators confronted the matatu driver, accusing him of reckless driving. The confrontation turned violent, and the vehicle was set on fire by an angry mob.

In response, boda boda riders erected barricades on the Kisumu-Busia highway, temporarily halting traffic along the critical transport route connecting Kenya and Uganda. 

The Vihiga County Government deployed a fire engine to extinguish the flames, but the crew encountered resistance from the crowd. During the operation, the fire engine overturned while navigating a corner, complicating the emergency response.

Police were dispatched to the scene but faced difficulties restoring order as tensions remained high. Some boda boda riders claimed the matatu driver had intentionally caused the collision. Footage shared on social media showed bystanders watching the burning vehicle and others looting a truck carrying soda bottles towards Kisumu.

The incident has prompted mixed reactions online, with some users criticising the boda boda operators for resorting to violence and others blaming law enforcement for a delayed response. The unrest follows a similar incident earlier in the week in Nairobi, where a Super Metro bus was set ablaze after allegedly hitting a motorbike rider along the Thika Superhighway. No injuries were reported in that case, but the bus was completely destroyed.