The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged a Nairobi matatu driver over an alleged dangerous “Manyoka” driving incident that resulted in the deaths of three people.
Sammy Murigi Maina appeared before Hon. Paul Mutai on Thursday, September 17, and pleaded not guilty to all the charges arising from the June 3, 2026 incident along Enterprises Road in Nairobi.
The prosecution told the court that on June 3 at about 8pm, Maina was driving motor vehicle registration number KDU 887C, an Isuzu minibus operated by Risen Sacco, when he allegedly drove the vehicle “recklessly and dangerously”.
“The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has today charged a matatu driver with causing the deaths of three people during an alleged “Manyoka” driving challenge along in Nairobi,” DPP stated.
Court’s decision
The court heard that Maina allegedly drove the vehicle in a dangerous manner “commonly referred to as ‘Manyoka’ style”, contrary to Section 42(3) of the Traffic Act.
The incident occurred along Enterprises Road opposite KCB Bank in Nairobi County.
The prosecution alleged that the accused’s manner of driving resulted in the deaths of Charles Brandy Wahome, Tamia Kalekya Nyambura and Edwin Kago.
Maina also faces two additional counts of driving a motor vehicle on a public road “without due care and attention”.
He was further charged with driving an “unroadworthy motor vehicle on a public road.
“Prosecution told court that on 3rd June 2026 at about 8.00pm, along Enterprises Road opposite KCB Bank in Nairobi County, Maina, while driving motor vehicle registration number KDU 887C, an Isuzu minibus operated by Risen Sacco, drove the vehicle recklessly and dangerously, resulting in the deaths of the three victims.”
The prosecution also alleges that Maina’s actions “occasioned bodily harm” to Eugene Ongundi and Domnic Mulwa.
The alleged incident has brought renewed attention to the dangerous driving style popularly known as “Manyoka”, where motorists make abrupt manoeuvres and weave through traffic.
Maina denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all the charges before the court.
The matter will now proceed through the court process, where the prosecution will be required to prove the allegations against the accused.
