Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has released a statement addressing the recent social media post depicting an image of an alleged incident involving a woman passenger being stripped by a matatu crew.

Following the circulation of the image, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) initiated investigations to uncover the truth behind the incident. The investigations have now revealed crucial facts that debunk the initial claims.

According to the statement, a matatu with the registration number KCS 747L, belonging to Luxury Shuttle Tours & Travels Limited, departed from Meru town at approximately 3:30 am on May 18, 2023, heading towards Nairobi CBD.

The vehicle made a brief stop at Mwea Nice Rice shopping center, where the passengers paid their fare, with the exception of one male passenger who appeared to be deeply asleep.

Upon reaching Nairobi's Tea room matatu terminus around 10 am, the other passengers disembarked, but the male passenger remained asleep.

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When he was eventually awakened, he seemed disoriented and confused, failing to pay the required fare. This led to the involvement of police officers who were on patrol in the area.

The statement reveals that the passenger began undressing himself inside the matatu, prompting the officers to escort both the vehicle and the passenger to Central Police Station in Nairobi. Following an interrogation, it was decided that due to his unstable state, the passenger should be returned to Meru.

The driver of the matatu, KCS 747L, transported the passenger back to Meru and handed him over to the local police station, where an official report was recorded under OB 105/18/05/2023.

It was further determined that the passenger in question was a male, not a woman as initially portrayed on social media. The statement emphasizes that the authorities deliberately refrained from sharing the passenger's pictures, name, or other personal details due to his apparent mental challenges.

Based on the information gathered during the investigation, it is clear that the details circulating on social media were distorted.

The Ministry acknowledges the seriousness of cases involving the safety and dignity of passengers and commends those who take the initiative to report such matters.

The findings have been shared with the Meru police for further action and follow-up.

Prior to this report, Murkomen has affirmed to Kenyans that investigations into the unfortunate incident involving were ongoing and he would share the findings.

According to information that circulated across various social media platforms, staff members of the particular 14-seater PSV vehicle in question stripped naked a woman after she failed to pay her fare.

It turned out that the unfortunate lady was both deaf and mute and therefore could not express herself effectively. Enraged members of the public took to social media to shun the act and demanded that the relevant authorities take action. Below are some of their reactions: