Kenyan Cyclist Cate Karis Cheats Death After Matatu Hit Her, Narrates Her Survival Journey

• Cate Karis was on her way to Karura Forest when she was hit by a matatu and found herself under the vehicle
• It was a while before the young lady who had been dragged under the matatu was rescued and rushed to the hospital
• She was glad to have survived the moment, as she appreciated her friends and family for standing with her through the challenging moment
• A lawyer, Kiki Kithinji, shared the legal steps a cyclist should undertake in case they are ever hit by a vehicle

Nairobi - A young cyclist has recounted the moment when a rogue matatu driver nearly snuffed the life out of her when he hit her from behind along Kiambu Road a few days ago.

Cate Karis was climbing towards Muthaiga junction when the unfortunate happened, an event she described as traumatic, as she, for a moment, saw her life flash before her eyes.

The cycling enthusiast says she was slammed on the tarmac after being struck by the PSV and ended up under the vehicle, which missed running over her by just a few inches.

Accident at Muthaiga junction

As if that was not enough, the vehicle gruesomely dragged her while she was below it, inflicting serious injuries on her face, thighs, and hands.

"I remember being under the matatu. All I could see was the grills from the bumper of the matatu. Everything was in slow motion. I am screaming my lungs out, and the matatu is not stopping still getting dragged I so knew this would be my last day or have my legs run over.

Finally, he stopped still screaming. Seeing the wounds, I screamed. Seeing my bike had been run over nduru ingine (another scream)," she wrote on a long post she shared on Facebook on Monday, July 24.

Making Kenyan roads safer for cyclists

In the post, Cate expressed gratitude for the support from the rescue team, who responded in time to help her in her time of need. She also thanked God for preserving her life.

"The bigger family that gave the financial support and thoughtful messages ❤️ I’m fighting my way back because of you all. This was my scariest and most traumatic day, but you all have been there, the visits, the calls ❤️. I’m healing fast. So thankful to God for another chance," she shared.

Cate is pursuing the matter in court, but according to her, it would have been her wish to let it rest. However, the need to make Kenyan roads safer for cyclists and encourage caution and love among all road users informed her decision to seek legal redress.

Sports lawyer Kithinji Kiki

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, sports lawyer Kithinji Kiki, who has represented bicycle riders like Cate in court, observed cases of cyclists being hit by rogue drivers on Kenyan roads were rife.

She shared the steps a cyclist should take in case of an accident to ease the process in case they wish to pursue justice through the corridors of justice.

"Firstly, you have the legal recourse, the right to demand compensation in simple terms. Some boxes need to be ticked to get legal recourse, including getting the registration number of whoever hit you.

Like in most accidents, you have to report the case to the police station, where you will get all the relevant documents needed for the case," she added.

Essense of lawyer in legal recourse

Kithinji also noted that getting a lawyer to assist one in the process was a pivotal step to ensure they handled the matter correctly by the law.

She emphasised a cyclist would always have legal recourse, whether they live or die following the accident.

"Should the latter happen, your family will represent you," she said.