- Kochi, a bus driver for Ena Coach, lost his left arm while protecting over 60 passengers in a crash.
- He faces mounting medical bills and joblessness while alleging neglect from his former employer.
- Legal experts say he may be entitled to compensation under Kenya’s Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA).
Kochi, a long-distance bus driver, says he risked his life to protect more than 60 passengers during a crash while driving for Ena Coach. Miraculously, all passengers survived, but Kochi paid a heavy price, losing his left arm (some reports say hand).
Since the accident, he claims Ena Coach has failed to compensate him adequately. Despite multiple visits to the company’s offices, submitting insurance forms, and navigating bureaucratic hurdles, Kochi has yet to receive proper support. He fears the paperwork provided by Ena Coach may be flawed, blocking his access to rightful compensation.
Kochi’s plight has struck a chord online, with netizens rallying behind him and urging authorities to enforce his rights under Kenya’s Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA). The law requires employers to compensate workers injured at work, including in road accidents, but enforcement is often inconsistent.
Legal experts note that Kochi may have a strong case under WIBA, which mandates prompt response from employers or insurers for injury claims. Meanwhile, road transport stakeholders highlight that driver protection and accident compensation remain critical issues for Kenya’s public transport sector, particularly for high-risk workers like long-distance bus drivers.
For Kochi, recovery is not only physical but also financial. Without his arm, returning to work is nearly impossible. He warns that unless Ena Coach or the insurer honours their obligations, he and his family face an uncertain future.
