A 14-seater matatu ferrying school children overturned on Thika Road near Garden City in Nairobi on Monday morning, sparking panic among motorists during the morning rush hour.

The vehicle, which was reportedly speeding, lost control and landed on its roof, prompting swift rescue efforts from passersby and first responders. 

The matatu, painted in very bright pink, is said to have been travelling towards the TRM Mall direction when the accident occurred.

Videos and images obtained by TSM Digital showed the children safely seated by the roadside within the inner lane, though it remains unclear whether any of them sustained major injuries.

The accident occurred during the morning peak hours, and the injured students were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

The crash triggered a heavy traffic snarl-up along Thika Road as police officers, local authorities, and boda boda riders coordinated rescue operations and worked to clear the wreckage.

The traffic jam stretched from Githurai 45 to the accident scene near Garden City Mall, affecting both lanes heading towards Nairobi’s central business district.

Notably, the van lacked the mandatory yellow paint required for vehicles transporting school children. Instead, it was painted pink—a violation that has reignited concerns over lax enforcement of transport safety regulations for school vehicles operating on major highways.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) set strict guidelines for school transport vehicles to enhance the safety of learners on Kenyan roads. Among the key requirements is that all school buses must be painted in a distinct yellow colour (code FFD800) and clearly labelled “School Bus” on the front and rear.

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In addition to the paint, the NTSA requires all such vehicles to be fitted with flashing red lights, a stop-signal arm, functional seatbelts, and a visible complaints hotline for the public to report reckless driving. Buses must also carry the phrase “DO NOT PASS WHEN RED LIGHTS ARE FLASHING” in bold letters at the rear.

The rules, part of NTSA’s broader school transport safety framework, are meant to ensure better visibility of school buses and standardise safety protocols across the country. The agency has warned of penalties for non-compliance, including fines, impounding of vehicles, and possible suspension of operating licences.

Between January and March 2025, Kenya recorded 1,139 road accident fatalities, according to data from the NTSA — a slight drop compared to the 1,166 deaths reported over the same period in 2024.