Two individuals are nursing serious injuries following a hit-and-run accident involving a miraa pickup at Kangondu junction along the Embu-Meru highway.
The victims, a boda boda rider and his pillion passenger, were reportedly heading home from Runyenjes when they were struck by an over-speeding miraa pickup. The impact left both with multiple fractures and severe injuries.
Emergency responders from the nearby Hunter Medical Centre arrived at the scene shortly after the incident. The rider, who was in critical condition, was transferred to Embu Level 5 Hospital, while the pillion passenger was admitted to Hunter Medical Centre for further treatment.
Eyewitnesses and area residents who gathered at the scene condemned what they termed as the reckless and rogue driving of miraa transport vehicles. Many called for an outright ban on miraa transportation, citing an increasing number of accidents caused by the speeding vehicles.
“The green gold has seemingly become more valuable than human life,” one resident lamented, highlighting the urgency of regulatory action. The crash comes just two days after a tragic incident in which two brothers lost their lives after being knocked down by a miraa pickup of registration plate at Jukwaa area in Kathageri, also along the Embu-Meru highway.
Tensions escalated when an angry mob of riders pelted a miraa lorry with stones in retaliation. The lorry’s driver managed to speed off to Runyenjes Police Station, where he filed a report before continuing with his journey.
Residents have vowed to stage demonstrations demanding justice for victims of what they describe as continued negligence and impunity by miraa drivers. They are calling on authorities to take swift and decisive action to prevent further loss of life on the busy highway.
