Two killed, 20 injured in Githurai bus hijacking

Buses at the Githurai roundabout on Thika Road. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | FILE  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Police said the bus left Nairobi at 9:45 pm heading to Githurai 45 with 51 passengers, but on reaching Roasters area five armed gangsters who were posing as commuters commandeered it

By ZADOCK ANGIRA
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By OLIVER MUSEMBI
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Two people were killed and at least 20 others injured when gangsters hijacked a bus in Nairobi and drove it to Muhoho in Kiganjo, Gatundu South Sub-County, Kiambu before robbing its passengers.

Police say the driver of the bus, Mbugua Njuguna, 52, was stabbed to death while one passenger who is yet to be identified was thrown out of the moving bus. His body was badly mutilated after the same bus and other vehicles run over him on the busy highway.

The conductor of the bus belonging to Paradiso Transport Company, Simon Ngugi, said they picked 53 passengers along Ronald Ngala street and on reaching Roasters area, they stopped to drop a passenger. One of the passengers took control of the bus and drove towards Thika town, leaving the conductor behind. The hijackers were armed with two pistols, swords, and metal bars.

Along the way, the hijackers threw passengers out of the vehicle and police have identified the injured as George Macharia, Benjamin Njuguna, Joseph Waithaka, Robert Omugo, Humphrey Mwiria, Isaac Kamau Njeri, Kamau Kariuki, and Felix Odhiambo.

Others are Peter Ndirangu, Joram Gitau, Fredrick Asino, Tabitha Kyalo, Aloyce Mwaniki, Samuel Okumbo, George Muriuki, Joseph Waithugi, Joseph Kimani, Peter Njoroge, Charles Otiang, and Philip Ndirangu. The victims, all residents of Githurai 44 in Kasarani, were rushed to Gatundu Level Four hospital for treatment.

Police officers along Thika road spotted the bus that was being driven at a very high speed and decided to give chase. They however could not catch up with it after the attackers threw one of the passengers out of the bus at Ruera area. Officers in Gatundu were informed and blocked the road at Kiganjo but the hijackers diverted to Muhoho.

Police have launched a hunt for the gangsters who disappeared into the dark after the robbery.

Gatundu sub-county police commander Bernard Muli appealed to members of the public to volunteer information that could lead to the arrest of the gangsters.

Two of those admitted at Gatundu hospital were later transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital on the request of family members.