Violence broke out inside a Rongai-bound matatu after a conductor aggressively attacked a passenger over unpaid fare.
In a viral video, the conductor insists that the passenger had thrown the first punch, even though he had not paid for the ride.
When the passenger attempted to alight, the conductor forced him back into the matatu, shouting, “Huyu jamaa ananipiga na hajalipa fare.”
Refusing to let the passenger leave without paying, the conductor threw him to the floor, sparking outrage among other passengers.
Prince crew conductors were caught on a camera beating a costomer. pic.twitter.com/6EaSP41CyN
— Boniface (@kilundeezy) December 7, 2025
Some urged the parties to stop fighting, while one woman volunteered to pay the fare.
“Acha nitalipa iyo fare. Mwachane,” she was heard saying. Another added, “Aki achaneni na yeye, mutamuumiza.”
The video ended with the passenger landing blows on the conductor, who was not immediately visible in the frame.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) requested Kenyans for more information to handle the matter, to which some replied with photos of the said matatu.
“Kindly confirm the. Registration number of the vehicle or the Sacco name. We will take immediate action,” the authority wrote.
The incident has, however, triggered widespread reactions on social media, with Kenyans condemning the violence, intimidation, and humiliation often witnessed in the public transport sector.
Tee Nova wrote on Instagram, “Hawa madonda siku hizi wako na ufala wengine hadi wanaharass kina mama bana.”
Another user, Funa, added, “So sad. Kama mtu hajalipa anashukishwa tu, kwani ni vita.”
Bramu commented, “Hawa ndio crew mnaweka kwa nganya walai, na sisi hatuna jobs walae.” Calling for accountability, Instagram user Brian Teddy Odhiambo said, “Hii ni mbaya sana, wachukuliwe hatua kali.”
This is not the first time conflict between matatu crew and passengers has turned deadly.
In March, police arrested Super Metro matatu driver David Nderitu following the death of a passenger allegedly pushed off a moving vehicle.
According to reports, the incident occurred along Thika Road when a passenger, Gilbert Thuku Kimani, offered Sh50 instead of the required Sh80.
A dispute over the remaining Sh30 led to Gilbert being pushed out of the moving matatu, where he was run over by the rear wheels of a bus and succumbed to his injuries.
Ruiru Police Commander Charles Kibathi addressed the incident, “The vehicle was driven by David Nderitu, who failed to stop when one passenger fell and was overrun by the rear tyre. We are appealing to those who were inside the vehicle to come forward and give statements,” he said at the time.
Gilbert’s death plunged his family in Kandara, Murang’a County, into deep mourning.
He was a patriarch and the household’s sole breadwinner.