Woman knocked down by matatu cries for justice

A woman who was reportedly knocked and injured by a matatu in Nairobi is crying out for justice. Lilian Ondigo says she was hit by a matatu along Fedha road in Embakassi on August 19, 2021, and sustained injuries on the head. She was walking with her two children when she met a friend who wanted to see her son who'd suffered burns two months earlier. She moved my baby’s carrier to the front to show him. Two minutes later, they parted ways because she was rushing home. “All over a sudden I felt something hit me hard on the head and I fell down while holding my baby strapped to my hands. “I held him so tight because I did not want him to get hurt. Then I heard people talk and I saw police officers who escorted me to where they had detained the driver. That is when I learnt I had been knocked by a vehicle. The driver had attempted to flee after hitting me,” she said “I told them I needed to go to hospital because of a headache and they were hesitant. But one man took me and my child to Crystal Park hospital in Embakasi and I got first aid.” While in the hospital, the motor vehicle owner visited her and introduced himself. Ms Ondingo could not keep up with the charges at the hospital and had to move out. She told the Good Samaritan who had taken her to the hospital that she needed to go to a hospital where she could afford. They needed Sh10, 000 which she could not afford but the Samaritan paid some amount for Xray and said I am okay. “I went home although I was not okay. I was taken to Mama Lucy Kibaki hospital in Kayole two days later because I was still not getting better. “At the hospital I was told I am okay and was put on strong painkillers. My mother came to see me and she fell sick after seeing me and was rushed to hospital.” Life got unbearable for Ms Ondigo who is a hairdresser. Her residential house’s caretaker disconnected power and water from her house over arrears. She could not work. She called a friend and told them she was not well and needed money to go to hospital. She was sent the money and went to hospital where a CT scan was done and she was told there were clots in her head which made her faint each time she stood up or tried to move. The situation got worse because she was living in darkness with no electricity and water and her sister offered to take her in. Then the caretaker refused to let me go without clearing arrears. Ms. Ondigo and her two children who sustained minor injuries have not been paid compensation seven months later because she cannot afford to pay a lawyer to follow up the matter with the insurance. The vehicle - KCU 134U was being driven by Douglas Ratemo Isaboke. “I reported to Embakasi police station and recorded a statement the next day and was told to find a lawyer to follow up with the matter for me. The lawyer wanted Sh10, 000 which I did not have,” she said. “I was told to call the vehicle’s owner to come to the station but he declined. My brother who was following up with the matter received a call from someone who informed him that the vehicle has insurance and we should deal with the insurance firm and stop calling the vehicle’s owner and that we should find a lawyer to take the case forward.” She has not re-opened her salon owing to debts and lack of capital to restart the business.