On February 17th, 2025, Ena Coach driver Tom Ondieki’s life changed forever. At 5 a.m., while driving from Nairobi to Busia near Maseno, Ondieki was involved in a severe accident.
His hand was amputated, though passengers escaped unhurt. Despite immediate medical attention and company support, Ondieki now struggles with permanent disability and claims that the compensation process has been slow and inadequate.
Ena Coach insists it followed all procedures, filing claims and maintaining contact. The dispute highlights challenges in insurance and worker welfare in Kenya’s transport sector.
Ena Coach Responds to Injured ex-Driver Claims
Ena Coach has publicly addressed the controversy surrounding Ondieki, emphasizing that the driver was insured and that compensation procedures are underway. According to CEO Richard Mogire, the company has acted within the law and maintained contact with Ondieki to ensure he receives his entitled benefits.
The firm outlined the accident, the immediate medical response, and the subsequent steps taken, including insurance claims and legal forms filed with the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS). Ena Coach insists that cooperation from Ondieki has been inconsistent, which has complicated the resolution.
Accident and Immediate Company Response
On February 17th, Ondieki’s bus crashed near Maseno. He was rushed to Masaba Hospital, where doctors amputated his hand. Ena Coach representatives, including the CEO and a director, visited him in the hospital, assuring support throughout his treatment.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | February 17th, 2025 |
| Time | 5 a.m. |
| Location | Maseno, en route to Busia |
| Injuries | Amputation of hand, no passenger injuries |
| Hospital | Masaba Hospital |
| Company Action | CEO and director visits, ongoing follow-up |
Ondieki was discharged after a few days, remained on the payroll, and the office continued to monitor his recovery. Ena Coach highlighted that Ondieki was a diligent employee for seven months before the crash.
Compensation and Legal Challenges
Despite insurance coverage, complications arose after Ondieki, through his lawyers Gordon Ogola & Associates, demanded that the company admit liability and pay damages. The insurance company assessed the claim and offered Kes. 650,000 in September 2025, which Ondieki rejected.
Ena Coach then engaged DOSHS to calculate the legally required compensation. The final tabulated amount was Kes. 1,028,994.37. However, Ondieki delayed returning necessary medical documentation, slowing the process.
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| April 28 | Demand letter sent to Ena Coach |
| August 1 | Second demand sent including insurance copy |
| September 14 | DOSHS tabulated total compensation |
| September 18 | Insurance offered Kes. 650,000 |
| November | Company statement reaffirmed commitment |
Ondieki has publicly shared his struggles through social media, claiming he cannot work or support himself, and alleges that the insurance documents provided are invalid.
Ena Coach’s Stance and Commitment
Ena Coach insists it followed all legal steps and maintained communication with Ondieki. The company stated that staff efforts to stay in contact have been met with occasional challenges.
Mogire affirmed the company’s commitment, “We are committed to ensuring that Ondieki receives all the justice and support he deserves. We kindly urge Ondieki to continue cooperating with our offices and the relevant authorities so that this matter can be resolved in the fairest manner possible.”
The company emphasized that previous cases involving staff injuries were handled smoothly, with employees receiving their entitled compensation. Ena Coach reiterated that employee welfare remains a top priority and that it continues to work with DOSHS and its insurance partner to finalize Ondieki’s claim.
Despite public criticism, Ena Coach maintains that all processes were transparent and lawful. The ongoing dispute reflects broader concerns over compensation procedures and communication between employers and injured workers in Kenya’s transport industry.
