Killer matatu driver detained pending pre bail report

A Nairobi court on Thursday detained a matatu driver accused of a fatal crash along Enterprise Road that killed four people, pending the preparation of a pre-bail report. Sammy Murigi Maina, the 31-year-old driver, will remain in custody until September 24 when the court will review the pre-bail report and decide on his bail application.

The court also ordered Maina to receive necessary medical care while in detention. Maina faced charges including causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care, and driving an unroadworthy vehicle. The prosecution alleged that Maina lost control of his Isuzu minibus on June 3, 2026, causing it to overturn and strike a curb, resulting in the deaths of three passengers and injuries to others.

The vehicle had several defects, including an obstructed emergency exit and tinted windows. The prosecution opposed Maina's release on bail, citing his alleged flight risk and evasion of arrest. The victims' families supported the prosecution's request, stating that Maina had been hiding since the crash and witnesses might be vulnerable to interference if released.

The defense argued that Maina had voluntarily presented himself at the police station and had not been summoned by the police. They denied claims of him fleeing to Malindi or Machakos and emphasized that the offense was a traffic violation rather than murder. The case will be heard again on September 24, 2026, for the presentation of the pre-bail report and the court's decision on bail.