Overloading in public service vehicles is still ongoing even after the laws banning it were implemented.
This came to light after one person was killed on Wednesday and 17 others sustained injuries from an accident along the Nakuru – Nairobi Highway at Soysambu in Mbaruk, Gilgil sub-county.
The injured were admitted at St Marys Hospital while the deceased died on the spot.
Officer-in-charge Salesio Maranguhe said the injured were admitted with several injuries.
“17 passengers were admitted with the driver sustaining serious injuries. He was put in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU),” said Maranguhe.
She said other passengers with minor injuries and were treated and discharged.
The survivors said that the ill-fated NNUS 14-seater matatu was overloaded.
“The matatu had exceeded the number of passengers by six,” said Samuel Mwangi, a survivor.
He added that the vehicle was also speeding and tried to overtake another vehicle when it veered off landing in a ditch where its rear tyre burst.