Tension gripped Luanda Town in Vihiga County on Saturday after a fatal road accident involving a boda boda rider and a 14-seater matatu triggered violent protests.
The accident occurred mid-morning along the Kisumu-Busia highway within Luanda Township. According to eyewitnesses, the boda rider was knocked down by the matatu and died on the spot. News of the tragedy quickly spread, drawing crowds of residents to the scene.
Enraged by the death of the rider, locals turned their anger on the public service vehicle allegedly involved in the collision. The matatu was set ablaze as protesters barricaded sections of the highway, paralyzing transport along the busy corridor. Bonfires lit on the road created further disruption, leaving many travelers stranded for hours.
Efforts to contain the situation only escalated the chaos. A fire engine dispatched by the Vihiga County Government to the scene lost control and veered into a ditch as it attempted to navigate through the melee. This incident further fueled tension as residents decried what they described as recurring cases of reckless driving and inadequate road safety measures in the area.
The Kisumu-Busia highway, a key transport link for Western Kenya, remained impassable for a significant period as protesters vented their anger. Vehicles were forced to make long detours, while others remained stuck as the crowd refused to clear the road.
The incident adds to growing concerns over the safety of boda boda operators, who remain among the most vulnerable road users in the region. Their frequent involvement in accidents has continued to raise alarm among local communities and leaders alike.
By mid-afternoon, security teams had moved in to try and restore calm, but no official statement had been issued by authorities at the time of reporting. Residents vowed not to relent until their grievances about road safety and accountability for the rider’s death are addressed.
