The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Related Articles
A 36-year-old man has been arrested in Kirinyaga County for allegedly setting a miraa (khat) vehicle on fire after it was involved in a fatal accident on the Mwea-Embu Highway two weeks ago.
The suspect, Titus Wagatitu Kimani, was apprehended in Kasarani, Nairobi, following a thorough search. The incident occurred on January 27, 2025, when a pick-up truck carrying miraa collided with and killed a boda boda rider.
The vehicle was subsequently set ablaze by angry locals. Kimani was arrested and brought to Wang’uru Police Station.
The deceased, Geoffrey Kinyua Nyaga, 46, was a boda boda operator from Kimbimbi Village, Nyangati Ward. Although the driver of the miraa vehicle narrowly escaped injury, he was attacked by residents from Kianjiru and surrounding areas.
Kimani’s father, Simon Kimani, defended his son, claiming Titus had no involvement in the incident. Simon explained that Titus was simply returning home from South-Ngariama ranch when he encountered the burning truck at Kianjiru. “My son is innocent. He stopped to check on the vehicle, not realizing he would become a suspect,” Simon said. He also clarified that Titus had not been hiding in Kasarani, as previously reported, but had gone to visit his sister. “We are still in shock,” Simon added.
The accident has raised ongoing concerns about reckless miraa vehicles in the area. Peter Karinga, the MCA for Tebere Ward, has been leading initiatives to enforce traffic regulations for miraa drivers. “We will not stop until rogue miraa drivers are removed from our roads,” Karinga stated, emphasizing operations to ensure compliance with speed limits, especially near Ngurubani Town.
Mwea-East Sub-County Police Commander Mohammed Jarso warned residents against taking matters into their own hands and stressed that the suspect would face charges for malicious damage. He urged miraa drivers to adhere to traffic laws to prevent further incidents.
