Mwea: Probe launched as two killed in boda boda accident

Investigations have been launched after a boda boda rider and his pillion passenger died on Monday night following a road accident at Gathoge along the Mwea–Embu Highway in Kirinyaga County.

According to residents of Gathoge and Piai villages, the victims were heading towards Kutus from Piai when a speeding saloon car, traveling in the same direction, rammed into them from behind.

“We suspect the driver was drunk because he was speeding. After knocking them down, he fled the scene but was later arrested by police officers from Gathoge Police Station,” said area resident Martin Mugo, who witnessed the incident.

Angry residents blocked the busy Mwea–Embu Highway for over five hours, demanding confirmation that the suspect had been arrested. They claimed the impact was so strong that the two victims were thrown more than 500 meters from the point of impact.

“We will not allow you to take the bodies to the mortuary until you tell us whether the driver has been arrested,” one resident told Wang’uru traffic police officers at the scene.

Family members of the deceased, who arrived shortly after the crash, identified the victims as David Gitari, 53, and his former wife Eunice, both from Mathangauta Village.

“The two were friends. David was my brother, and Eunice was his ex-wife. They had met today for the first time since separating two years ago. I cannot believe what has happened,” said Jackson Gichobi, a relative.

Gitari’s father, Francis Njuki, said his son had been working as a boda boda rider in Piai.
“I cannot believe seeing the lifeless body of my firstborn lying in a pool of blood,” he said, overcome with emotion.

Family members eventually managed to calm the irate crowd, pleading with them to reopen the road.
“Please let us allow the traffic police officers to take the bodies to the mortuary,” Gichobi urged.

Residents said they have repeatedly requested the erection of speed bumps at Gathoge to curb the rising number of accidents in the area, but their pleas have gone unanswered.

“We have witnessed numerous fatalities here, including school children. We want the government to intervene and construct bumps, otherwise we will close this road completely,” said Joseph Muriithi, a resident.

Police later confirmed that the driver had been arrested and taken to Wang’uru Police Station. The bodies of the deceased were moved to Kibugi Funeral Home, where postmortems will be conducted.