Crushed student had landed job

Ms Cecilia Njeri Gicheha whose life was brutally cut short on October 9, 2015 by two matatu drivers who were jostling for passengers on Moi Avenue. PHOTO | COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • This happened as a matatu that plies the Kasarani-Mwiki route was trying to squeeze into a small space, reversed and hit her.
  • Ms Gicheha was rushed to Guru Nanak Hospital by her friend and a Good Samaritan but died two hours later.
  • Police also want to establish whether one or both of the drivers are to blame, or whether it was the deceased’s fault.

Ms Cecilia Njeri Gicheha was to report to her new job at Boma Hotel in Nairobi on Tuesday, but instead, her family and friends will congregate for her requiem service at Nacico Chambers on Moi Avenue.

The 23-year-old was looking forward to becoming the hotel’s receptionist.

Ms Gicheha’s life was brutally cut short on Friday night by two matatu drivers who were jostling for passengers on Moi Avenue.

The University of Nairobi student was squashed to death by two matatus near Tuskys Beba Beba stage in the city centre.

According to witnesses, the student was hit by the first matatu at around 8pm while crossing the road, letting out a loud scream. The second matatu squashed her further, prompting the public to come to her rescue.

This happened as a matatu that plies the Kasarani-Mwiki route was trying to squeeze into a small space, reversed and hit her.

Her friend who witnessed the accident, Ms Ann Grace Njoroge, told the Daily Nation: “I was coming from Tuskys Supermarket when I heard a scream and people gathered around the spot where Njeri was trapped, one of the drivers sped off and the public was left with the MSL driver.”

Ms Gicheha was rushed to Guru Nanak Hospital by her friend and a Good Samaritan but died two hours later.

“I am still in shock, it happened so fast. When I realised it was Njeri who was screaming, I stopped thinking. It is one of the ladies who volunteered to help out who remained strong and took her to the hospital,” added Ms Njoroge.

According to a doctor’s report obtained from the hospital, an X-ray revealed the patient had multiple rib fractures.

She died during examination when her lungs collapsed suddenly.

Ms Gicheha was the third-born of four children. The family lives in Limuru.

Her relatives have called upon the county government to decongest the city centre to avoid such accidents in future.

Central OCPD Paul Wanjama said investigations are going on to establish what happened, after which the two drivers will be charged in court. The two drivers were arrested after the incident, but have been released on cash bail and will appear in court when investigations are finalised.

“The inspection is to establish the condition of the vehicles involved in the accident both before and after the accident,” said one of the detectives in the case.

Police also want to establish whether one or both of the drivers are to blame, or whether it was the deceased’s fault.

The area where the accident occurred is not a designated stage in Nairobi County, but the matatu operators pay Sh5,250 a month for the spot.

The impunity, especially in the city centre, is attributed to the fee paid to the county, together with the bribes given to traffic police officers and some court officials by the matatu operators.

Matatus plying Kahawa West, Mwiki and Eastleigh (number 6) routes use the entry and have stages along Tom Mboya Street.

The stretch outside Tuskys Beba Beba acts as an access route for matatu’s entering the city centre from different estates on the Thika Superhighway.