What Happened During the Valley Road City Hoppa Crash?
A late-night accident involving a City Hoppa bus on Nairobi’s Valley Road has left one person dead and several others injured. The crash occurred shortly after 11 p.m., according to Nairobi Chief Environment Officer Geoffrey Mosiria, who was among the first responders at the scene. In footage shared by Mosiria, the bus is seen overturned on its side as police officers and members of the public worked together to free trapped passengers.
Witnesses told Mosiria that the bus was speeding before the crash. “I received a call from a resident in Nairobi at 23 hours informing me about an accident involving a City Hoppa bus on Valley Road. Those who were here have told us that the bus was overspeeding but that is a subject of confirmation by the authorities,” he said.
Emergency responders faced difficulties due to a shortage of ambulances during the rescue operation. Mosiria later confirmed that all passengers had been rescued, though one victim who had been run over by the bus appeared to have succumbed to injuries. “The person who was run over by the bus has been rescued, but it appears the victim has died. Police officers will take the body to the mortuary and inform the family,” he added.
Why Are Authorities Urging a Return to Strict Traffic Rules?
Following the incident, Mosiria called for the reintroduction of the Michuki traffic rules to help curb rising road accidents in the city. He emphasized the importance of enforcing seatbelt use, reinstating speed governors, and observing urban speed limits. “Drivers must ensure passengers wear seatbelts and that speed governors are reinstated. Fatigue also contributes to such incidents, if you’ve worked all day, please rest,” he urged.
The Valley Road crash came just days after another fatal accident involving a Latema Sacco bus in the Waruku area. The bus, which was heading to Kawangware 56 via Gatina Road, reportedly lost control and plunged into the Nairobi River with more than 30 passengers on board. Four people died, and several others were rushed to hospitals, including Kenyatta National Hospital, for emergency treatment.
According to Mosiria, the Waruku route was too narrow for such large buses, and the driver, who also died in the crash, was not familiar with the area. The two incidents have reignited calls for tighter traffic enforcement and better regulation of public transport routes to prevent further loss of life on Nairobi’s busy roads.
By Lucky Anyanje