An incident that drew the attention of many city residents unfolded in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) after a disagreement between a matatu conductor and a young couple escalated into a physical confrontation after the conductor was denied a phone number by the girlfriend.
The altercation, which happened in full view of members of the public, has once again raised concerns about harassment and safety in public spaces within the capital.
According to eyewitnesses, the trouble began when a matatu conductor allegedly approached a young woman and asked her for her phone number.
The woman is said to have politely declined the request. However, instead of accepting her refusal, the conductor reportedly continued to pressure her, making her uncomfortable.
Witnesses claim that the situation worsened when the conductor became aggressive after the woman stood her ground.
The woman’s boyfriend, identified as Maina, stepped in after noticing what was happening. He reportedly questioned the conductor’s behavior and asked why he could not respect the woman’s decision. What started as a verbal exchange quickly turned heated, with both men raising their voices as tensions rose.
Within moments, the argument escalated into a fistfight in the middle of the busy CBD streets. Passengers, pedestrians, and nearby traders stopped to watch as the two men exchanged blows.
Some members of the crowd were seen cheering and encouraging the fight, while others expressed concern and fear that the situation could spiral out of control and lead to serious injuries.
The fight caused a brief disruption in the area, with people keeping their distance as the confrontation continued.
Fortunately, the situation did not last long. Bystanders and concerned individuals eventually intervened and managed to separate the two men before either of them was seriously injured.
No immediate reports of arrests or hospitalizations were confirmed at the time of the incident.
