KMTC Student Eugene Mutuku Laid to Rest as Family Demands Justice

KMTC Student Eugene Mutuku Laid to Rest as Family Demands Justice

Nineteen-year-old Eugene Mutuku was laid to rest at his family's home in Kawethei Village, Masinga Constituency, Machakos County, amid grief, anger, and renewed calls for justice.

Mutuku, a student at Kenya Medical Training College Yatta Campus, died after a tragic incident along Thika Road on June 5, 2026. Reports indicate that he was travelling from Thika towards Nairobi when he became involved in a dispute with crew members of a Nicco Sacco matatu, allegedly over fare or change balance. Witness accounts and family statements claim that he was pushed or thrown from the moving vehicle near the Garden City area along Thika Superhighway. 

After falling onto the busy highway, Mutuku sustained severe injuries and was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he later succumbed while receiving treatment. An autopsy revealed that he suffered multiple body injuries and severe internal bleeding consistent with a high-impact fall and blunt-force trauma. 

The incident sparked nationwide outrage, with Kenyans demanding accountability from those involved. Investigators later traced the matatu involved, which was reportedly found abandoned in Nairobi, while police launched a manhunt for the driver and conductor. Authorities also arrested some officials linked to the Sacco as investigations continued. 

In response to the tragedy, the National Transport and Safety Authority revoked the operating licence of Nicco Movers 1 Sacco, citing serious safety and compliance failures discovered during investigations. The authority ordered all vehicles operating under the Sacco to cease operations immediately. 

During the burial ceremony, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko said his team assisted the family by transporting the body from Nairobi, settling mortuary expenses, and supporting funeral arrangements. Sonko condemned the incident as inhumane and urged law enforcement agencies to ensure that all those responsible are arrested and prosecuted. 

Family members, fellow students, and leaders who attended the burial described Mutuku as a hardworking and promising young man whose life was cut short while pursuing his dream of serving in the healthcare profession. They called on the justice system to ensure his death does not become another unresolved case.

Eugene's death has become a symbol of the urgent need for accountability, passenger safety, and humanity in Kenya's public transport sector.