Baba Yaga, a matatu owned by President William Ruto's son George Ruto, crashed again on Friday night. The accident happened on the Ongata Rongai route on November 13, Pulse Live Kenya reported. Photos of the crash spread fast on social media.
Baba Yaga was reportedly racing another matatu, Detroit, when it crashed, according to Pulse Live. Both vehicles ply the same route. Baba Yaga reportedly rammed into the back of Detroit, and both matatus were heavily damaged. Tuko described Baba Yaga as John Wick-themed and said its front end was severely damaged.
Photos from the scene show the matatu's grille smashed, with some parts broken or knocked loose. Its orange and black paint and custom detailing were still visible. Inside, the black-and-white fittings were damaged. Several panels and trims appeared broken or out of place. The sources did not say whether anyone was hurt on Friday. They carried no comment from police or the owner.
This is not the matatu's first crash. On the night of September 29, Baba Yaga ended up in a roadside ditch and passengers were injured, Pulse Live reported. Photos and videos showed it lying in the ditch. There were claims it had been overlapping, or driving dangerously on the edge of the road, before it rolled.
After Friday's crash, Kenyans online pointed to the matatu's growing list of road incidents, Pulse Live reported. Others raised wider concerns about deadly and avoidable road accidents in Kenya.
Baba Yaga belongs to a growing fleet of flashy matatus owned by George Ruto, a trained pilot. The fleet includes Mood and the yellow-themed Money Fest. According to Pulse Live, Mood revived old rivalries between crews when it launched in Nairobi. Some of the fleet's matatus have been flagged for breaking traffic rules and endangering road users.