Family Demands Justice After KMTC Student Dies Following Alleged Matatu Incident on Thika Road
The family of Eugene Mutuku, a 19-year-old KMTC student, is seeking justice after he died while undergoing treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital following an alleged incident in which he was pushed from a moving matatu on Thika Road.
A Nicco Sacco matatu and Eugene, who was thrown out. Photo/Courtesy
By Frederick Oseko
The family of a 19 year old student at the Kenya Medical Training College is pushing for justice after he died, allegedly after being shoved out of a moving matatu along Thika Road.
Eugene Mutuku passed on while he was being treated at Kenyatta National Hospital, where he had been admitted in a critical state after the incident.
As family members are saying, Mutuku suffered serious injuries, after he was allegedly forced out of the public transport vehicle during a disagreement. He was taken to hospital for emergency care but later died anyway, despite attempts by medical staff to keep him alive.
His death has left relatives crushed, and the family remembers him as a diligent and focused young man, a lad with plans and a future that seemed to be opening up, only for it to be cut short.
“We have lost a son with big visions and a clear tomorrow. We want the people behind his death to be arrested, and taken through the law,” one family member told.
Right now, the family is urging investigators to quicken the probe and make sure each person linked to the incident is answerable.
Police have started a search for the driver and the conductor believed to be connected with the matatu. The two are still missing while investigations continue.
Officials later found the vehicle which had been abandoned in Nairobi’s Kariokor area, and they impounded it as part of the continuing investigation.
Detectives are expected to talk to witnesses, and also go through the evidence on hand, to understand exactly how the incident unfolded.
The tragedy has brought back, again, concerns about passenger safety across Kenya’s public transport sector, with many residents calling for stronger enforcement of safety rules and real accountability among those operating public service vehicles.
“Nothing will return Eugene, but we want the real story to be uncovered. Whoever did it must face consequences,” another family member said.
Police are also asking members of the public who might have information, to come forward and help with the investigation. Up to the time of publication, no arrests had been made.
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