Two people lost their lives in a tragic road accident involving a miraa pick-up vehicle at Difathas, along the Mwea-Embu Highway in Kirinyaga County.
The victims, a boda boda rider and his pillion passenger, were struck by the speeding vehicle around 10 p.m. on Tuesday night.
Mwea-East Sub-County Police Commander Mohammed Jarso confirmed the incident, stating that the miraa pick-up was heading towards Nairobi when it collided with the boda boda.
“The accident happened at around 10 p.m., and it is deeply unfortunate for the family and the residents of Difathas,” he said.
The driver fled the scene, leaving the two bodies lying on the road, sparking outrage among locals.
Residents of Difathas and neighboring areas, including parts of Mwea and Gichugu constituencies, blocked the busy highway in protest.
They accused miraa drivers of reckless driving and disregard for traffic rules.
“This is not the first time this has happened. Recently, two children from Kithogondo Slums in Ngurubani were killed by a speeding miraa vehicle. Today, it’s two people from Kiarigi Village. We demand accountability from the owners of these vehicles,” lamented Dan Murango, a resident.
Family members of the deceased, led by David Gicobi, expressed devastation over the loss. “My son, Phillip Njagi, was only 18 and had just completed his KCSE exams.
His cousin, Anthony Kariuki, 28, was also with him. They were coming home after visiting their aunt when they were killed. We want justice,” Mr. Gicobi said.
Police later apprehended the miraa vehicle driver in Ngurubani Town as he attempted to flee towards Nairobi. He is currently being held at Wang’uru Police Station and is set to appear in court.
This latest accident has reignited public concern over the government’s failure to address reckless driving by miraa vehicle operators. “These drivers do not even respect traffic laws or law enforcement officers. We need serious action,” said Peter Kinyua, a local resident.
The tragedy comes barely three weeks after a similar incident in Ngurubani, where two children aged 12 and 7 were killed by a speeding miraa vehicle.
The vehicle, while overtaking another on a section of the road with spikes erected by the county government for cess collection, hit the children as they cycled to school.
The children, who attended Ngurubani and Thiba primary schools, were buried on December 4, leaving their community in mourning.
Residents are now calling on the government to enforce stricter regulations on miraa transport to prevent further loss of lives.
