KIRINYAGA, Kenya – Tragedy struck along the Mwea-Embu Highway on Sunday when a boda boda rider lost his life in a grisly accident involving a speeding pickup truck transporting miraa.
The collision, which occurred near Kianjiru Trading Centre, left the local community reeling and escalated into chaos as angry residents set the miraa vehicle on fire.
The truck, reportedly travelling from Meru to Nairobi, struck the motorcycle with such force that the rider was dragged several meters along the busy highway.
The accident also left the truck’s driver and a passenger narrowly escaping death.
However, their survival did little to pacify the enraged crowd, who quickly turned their fury on the vehicle.
Despite efforts by police officers from Wanguru Police Station to manage the situation, the mob torched the truck, engulfing it in flames.
The incident caused a massive traffic snarl-up, with vehicles stranded for over two hours between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm.
Commuters and transport operators were left frustrated, as residents blocked the highway in protest.
David Irungu, chairman of boda boda operators in Kimbimbi Trading Centre, confirmed the identity of the deceased as a local rider and expressed deep sorrow over the loss.
“This is another tragic loss for the community, and it’s becoming a weekly occurrence. Something needs to be done,” he said, urging the government to prioritize road safety measures.
The crash has reignited calls for stricter regulations on miraa transportation, a contentious issue in the region due to the high-speed travel associated with the trade.
Residents of Kirinyaga County are demanding urgent action to prevent similar tragedies.
