A Nairobi court has denied bail to a matatu driver facing charges over a crash that claimed the lives of three passengers and injured two others along Enterprise Road in June.
Sammy Murigi Maina will remain in custody until key prosecution witnesses testify after Magistrate Paul Mutai found that the prosecution had presented compelling reasons to oppose his release at this stage of the trial.
The court, however, directed that Maina be taken to hospital for medical attention.
Maina was arrested nearly two months after the June 3, 2026, crash and charged with multiple traffic offences arising from the incident.
He faces three counts of causing death by dangerous driving, contrary to Section 46 of the Traffic Act, Cap 403.
The prosecution alleges that Maina was driving an Isuzu minibus, registration KDU 887C, operated by Risen Sacco, along Enterprise Road near KCB Bank at about 8pm when the accident occurred.
According to the charge sheet, Maina allegedly drove dangerously and recklessly before losing control of the vehicle while negotiating a roundabout.
The vehicle reportedly hit the kerb, overturned and landed across the road.
Those listed as having died in the crash are Charles Brandy Wahome, Tamia Kalekye Nyambura and Edwin Kago.
Maina also faces two counts of driving without due care and attention in relation to alleged injuries sustained by Eugene Ongundi and Dominic Mulwa.
He has further been charged with operating an unroadworthy motor vehicle.
The prosecution has cited several alleged defects on the matatu, including an obstructed emergency exit, reduced passenger headroom allegedly caused by installed multimedia screens, modified passenger seats and unsecured power inverters in the driver’s cabin.
Other alleged defects include dark reflective tint on the passenger windows and a modified dashboard which the prosecution says obstructed the driver’s view.
The case also includes allegations that the matatu had been making dangerous manoeuvres commonly referred to as “manyoka” shortly before the fatal crash.
The allegations are yet to be tested in court, and Maina remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The case will proceed as the prosecution prepares to call its witnesses.
