The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has called for immediate investigations into the death of a Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) student who allegedly lost his life after being thrown from a moving matatu.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 9, the commission criticised the circumstances surrounding the death of Eugene Mutuku, arguing that the incident raises serious concerns about the protection of constitutional rights, including the right to life, dignity and personal security.
Public outrage erupted after dashcam footage surfaced online, reportedly showing the moment Mutuku was ejected from the vehicle. According to NGEC, the incident reflects a wider problem within the public transport sector, noting that similar allegations have been reported in the past.
“The reported death of KMTC student Eugene Mutuku, allegedly after being ejected from a moving matatu, raises serious constitutional concerns under Article 26 on the right to life, Article 28 on human dignity and Article 29 on security of the person. Every life is protected by law,” the commission stated.
NGEC further noted that the case should not be viewed as an isolated incident, citing recurring reports of passengers being harmed or forcefully removed from moving public service vehicles.
The commission emphasised that public transport plays a critical role in the lives of millions of Kenyans and warned that safety failures disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including women, children, youth, persons with disabilities, older persons and marginalised communities.
As a result, NGEC has urged the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the National Police Service (NPS) and other relevant agencies to conduct thorough investigations and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
The commission also called for stronger enforcement of public service vehicle regulations and comprehensive reforms aimed at enhancing passenger safety, improving crew conduct standards and preventing future incidents.
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The statement followed the release of a post-mortem report indicating that Mutuku died from injuries caused by blunt force trauma, with investigators suspecting he may have been run over by the matatu as it sped away.
Authorities have since arrested two directors of Nicco Matatu Sacco, who were later released on a bond of KSh 1 million each. However, the driver and conductor linked to the incident remain at large.
Mutuku, a final-year student at KMTC Yatta Campus, had recently begun his industrial attachment at a hospital in Kasarani and was expected to graduate later this year.
