The story of Adelle Omondi has shaken many Kenyans and put Mash Poa bus company under serious scrutiny. Adelle boarded a Mash Poa bus from Nairobi to Mombasa, expecting a normal journey like any other.
Instead, she woke up two days later at Coast General Hospital with no memory of what had happened, her valuables stolen, and, disturbingly, her underwear missing.
She was seated in seat 37, and all signs point to the passenger in seat 38 as a possible suspect. But what has shocked many is not just the horrifying experience she went through, but Mash Poa’s weak and suspicious response.
According to Adelle and those supporting her, she approached Mash Poa for help identifying the person who sat next to her. The company told the police that they had no record of the person in seat 38.
This raises serious red flags. How does a bus company running cross-country routes not require passenger details during booking? Even local matatus are often required to collect ID information these days, especially for long-distance travel. Online platforms used by Mash Poa clearly show they have slots to input names, phone numbers, and ID numbers.
Yet in this case, they act as if the person vanished into thin air. That sounds more like a cover-up than a mistake.The public reaction has been fierce. A post by Eunice Keter on X (formerly Twitter) blew up the issue, asking the same questions many Kenyans now have. How can a woman be drugged and possibly assaulted inside a public bus, and the company simply shrugs its shoulders, claiming they don’t know who sat next to her? It suggests not just negligence, but a complete disregard for passenger safety and human dignity.
Mash Poa’s silence, even several days after the incident, makes things worse. They have not issued any public apology, explanation, or steps being taken to investigate the case internally.Passengers are right to be worried.
If Mash Poa doesn’t know who sat in a specific seat, what happens if there’s an accident? What if there’s a medical emergency or a security issue? Clearly, their systems are either poorly managed or they are hiding something.
Either way, it puts every passenger at risk. People pay for travel not just to get from one point to another, but with the expectation of basic safety. When that is ignored, and when a company fails to cooperate in a criminal investigation, it sends the message that they don’t care what happens to their customers.
Online reviews about Mash Poa have also started raising other concerns. Some mention delays, poor communication, and unprofessional staff. While these may seem minor compared to Adelle’s case, they all point to a company that may be failing in more ways than one.
The Kenyan public has been patient with transport companies, but this incident is a wake-up call. Companies like Mash Poa cannot be allowed to operate in such a careless and opaque manner.The authorities must act. Police must get to the bottom of who sat in seat 38.
The Data Protection Office should investigate if Mash Poa is indeed failing to keep passenger records.
And Kenyans need to push for tougher regulations on intercity transport companies. If nothing is done, this will not be the last time such a case happens.
Mash Poa must not be allowed to simply walk away from this. Adelle Omondi deserves justice, and other passengers deserve protection.
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