The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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A tragic accident occurred on the Mwea-Embu Highway in Kirinyaga County, where two people lost their lives after being struck by a speeding miraa pick-up truck.
The incident took place at Difathas around 10 p.m. on Tuesday. The victims, a boda boda rider and his passenger, were hit by the vehicle as it was heading towards Nairobi.
Mwea-East Sub-County Police Commander Mohammed Jarso confirmed the collision, describing it as a devastating event for the victims’ families and the local community. The driver of the miraa vehicle fled the scene, leaving the two bodies on the road, which angered local residents.
In protest, people from Difathas and nearby areas, including Mwea and Gichugu constituencies, blocked the highway. They accused miraa vehicle drivers of reckless driving and ignoring traffic laws.
“This isn’t the first such incident. Recently, two children from Kithogondo Slums in Ngurubani were killed by a speeding miraa truck. Now, two people from Kiarigi Village have died. We demand accountability from the vehicle owners,” said local resident Dan Murango.
The families of the victims, including David Gicobi, who lost his son Phillip Njagi, 18, and his cousin Anthony Kariuki, 28, expressed deep sorrow. “My son had just completed his KCSE exams. They were returning from visiting their aunt when this happened. We seek justice,” Gicobi said.
The driver of the miraa vehicle was later arrested in Ngurubani Town while attempting to flee towards Nairobi. He is currently in custody at Wang’uru Police Station and will face court proceedings.
This incident has sparked renewed public concern about the lack of government action against reckless driving by miraa vehicle operators. “These drivers disregard traffic laws and law enforcement officers. We need stronger action,” said Peter Kinyua, a local resident.
The accident comes just weeks after a similar tragedy in Ngurubani, where two children aged 12 and 7 were killed by a speeding miraa vehicle while they were cycling to school. The children, who attended Ngurubani and Thiba primary schools, were laid to rest on December 4, deepening the community’s grief.
Local residents are now calling for stricter regulations on miraa transport to prevent further fatalities.
