By Mark Simitia
A late-night commute along the Kitengela-Namanga Highway ended in tragedy as a 25-year-old petrol attendant was allegedly pushed out of a moving bus, run over, and left critically injured, sparking national outrage and calls for justice.
A family in Kitengela is mourning the sudden and violent death of 25-year-old Joseph Mureithi, who reportedly died after being thrown from a Super Metro bus along the busy highway on Tuesday night. The incident has reignited public concerns over passenger safety and the conduct of public service vehicle operators.
According to police and eyewitnesses, Mureithi, a petrol station attendant in Athi River, had just completed his night shift and boarded a Super Metro bus near Shalom Hospital, expecting a routine journey back to Mlolongo.
Shortly after departure, a confrontation allegedly broke out inside the overcrowded bus, and Mureithi was reportedly forced out while the vehicle was still moving. He fell onto the road and was run over, before the bus sped away.
Eyewitness Juma Otieno recounted the moment, saying: “He boarded the bus and soon after, there was a struggle. The young man was pushed out and fell to the ground. When I reached him, he had sustained serious head injuries.”
A patrol vehicle from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which was nearby, chased and intercepted the bus. The vehicle, registration number KDK 060H, was impounded and taken to Athi River Police Station. The driver and conductor were arrested and remain in custody as investigations continue.
Mureithi was rushed to Shalom Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. His body is scheduled for postmortem examination as detectives seek to establish the full circumstances of the incident.
Family members described Mureithi as hardworking and dedicated to supporting his loved ones. Patrick Muthomi, a close relative, said, “He was the firstborn, paying our mother’s rent and helping his younger sibling. We hope the government will help us get justice.”
Super Metro management issued a statement expressing deep regret over the incident, confirming full cooperation with authorities. The company emphasised that it does not condone reckless or violent behavior by its staff and pledged appropriate disciplinary action once investigations are complete.
The tragedy has reignited debate about the conduct of public service vehicle crews, passenger safety, and accountability. Many Kenyans online condemned the incident, calling for stricter enforcement of transport regulations to prevent future tragedies.
As investigations continue, Joseph Mureithi’s family is left grappling with grief, hoping that justice will be served. For commuters, his death serves as a painful reminder of the urgent need to reform Kenya’s public transport sector.
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