MWEA, Kenya – A 28-year-old driver ferrying miraa died, and two other people were seriously injured after the Probox he was driving collided head-on with a lorry carrying sand along the Mwea-Embu Highway in Kirinyaga County, hours after a joint burial mass was held for 10 people who died in a road accident at Murubara last Saturday.
The crash occurred on Friday near Mutithi Trading Centre in Mwea, just hours after families and mourners gathered at Karoti Girls High School to bury the victims of the Murubara tragedy.
Residents working in nearby rice farms said they watched in disbelief as the lorry caught fire following the collision. They said the Probox was travelling at high speed when a motorcycle reportedly got in the way of the two vehicles, before the Probox and lorry collided head-on. The impact caused the Probox to roll and land in a nearby rice farm.
Witness account
Justin Njogu, a farmer who was working in the rice fields at the time, said he heard a loud bang before seeing smoke rising from the crash site.
“I heard a big bang then saw smoke and the lorry started burning. I could do nothing but pray that the driver would come out unhurt. The lorry driver and his turn-boy came out with slight injuries,” Njogu said.
Police confirmation
Mwea-West Sub-County Police Commander Millicent Ngugi confirmed the accident, saying the Probox was travelling to Nairobi from Meru while the lorry was headed towards Ngurubani.
Ngugi said the three occupants of the Probox were rushed to White Rose Private Hospital, where the 28-year-old driver died while undergoing treatment. The other two occupants, aged 33 and 29, sustained serious injuries to their legs and heads, she said.
The body of the deceased was taken to Kerugoya Hospital mortuary, while the two vehicles were towed to Wang’uru Police Station.
Ngugi said the fire that engulfed the lorry was put out using a clean-water bowser from the Kirinyaga County Government. The Probox was extensively damaged in the crash.
Residents scramble for miraa
However, witnesses said some residents first scrambled for the miraa that had been packed in the vehicle before assisting the crash victims.
“As flames engulfed the lorry, residents were taking away miraa before helping the victims,” said Peter Muriithi.
Renewed safety concerns
The crash has renewed concerns among residents over road safety along the busy Mwea-Embu Highway, with the latest accident occurring on the same day as the burial of the Murubara crash victims.
Residents called for urgent measures to reduce accidents along the highway, including road repairs, traffic-calming measures and expansion of the road.
“Something must be done. Either many bumps should be erected, potholes filled, or a dual carriageway constructed. The road passes through five counties, and a dual carriageway must be constructed,” said Mary Wambui.
