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In a bizarre twist of events, the matatu that was crowned the best in Kenya had just run over a man on its way to the 2016 Nganya Awards.
The awards were marred by teargas, running battles between police and youths.
The event, which was scheduled to kick off on Saturday morning started way past 4 pm at KICC’S courtyard.
“Madere na madonda wanataka kuingiza ganji kwanza ndio watokezee,” (drivers and conductors want to make money before showing up) Mwas, one of the attendants said.
The first mishap was when the tents were blown away by a gust of wind, a sign that they were not properly secured.
A security guard sustained head injuries after one of the metallic poles supporting a tent fell on him. He was rushed to the waiting Nairobi County Government ambulances where he received first aid.
The day only got worse after Rongai’s Catalyst, later crowned Kenya 1, ran over a man along City Hall Way, a couple of meters from the KICC entrance.
The said man was hanging onto the matatu while it was performing stunts (twerking) when he fell off and the left rear wheels ran over his head.
On condition of anonymity, one of the police officers at the scene confirmed the incident stating that the victim had been rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital.
“Dere ata aliwakataza na hawakuskia” (the driver warned them against hanging on the matatu but they did not heed), stated a representative of the matatu’s owner. The driver, Kevin Mbugua AKA Transporter reiterated the spokesperson’s statement absolving the matatu of any wrongdoing.
Reports indicate that Catalyst was later taken to Central Police station pending further investigations.
Police closed off the road barring matatus from accessing the venue and used teargas to disperse crowds of rowdy youth along City Hall Way and Wabera Street.
