MWEA, Kenya – Two people were killed late Tuesday night after a speeding miraa pick-up vehicle struck a boda boda along the Mwea-Embu Highway at Difathas, Kirinyaga County.
The incident, which occurred around 10 p.m., has sparked outrage among residents, reigniting concerns over reckless driving by miraa transport operators.
The victims, Phillip Njagi, 18, and his cousin Anthony Kariuki, 28, were riding home after visiting their aunt when the speeding vehicle collided with their motorcycle.
Mwea-East Sub-County Police Commander Mohammed Jarso confirmed the incident, noting that the miraa pick-up was en route to Nairobi at the time of the crash.
“The accident is deeply unfortunate for the family and the residents of Difathas,” Jarso said.
Following the crash, the driver fled the scene, leaving the two bodies on the road.
Enraged locals blocked the highway in protest, accusing miraa drivers of reckless driving and blatant disregard for traffic regulations.
Police later arrested the driver in Ngurubani Town as he attempted to flee towards Nairobi. He is being held at Wang’uru Police Station and is expected to face charges in court.
This latest tragedy adds to a growing list of fatal crashes involving miraa transport vehicles.
Just three weeks ago, two children—aged 12 and 7—were killed by a miraa vehicle while cycling to school in Ngurubani.
Their deaths prompted widespread calls for stricter oversight of miraa drivers, but residents say little has changed.
The recurring accidents have highlighted what many see as a regulatory gap, with miraa transport vehicles often operating at dangerous speeds to meet tight delivery schedules.
Residents are now demanding immediate government intervention, including stricter enforcement of traffic laws and penalties for reckless drivers.
The incident, which occurred around 10 p.m., has sparked outrage among residents, reigniting concerns over reckless driving by miraa transport operators.
The victims, Phillip Njagi, 18, and his cousin Anthony Kariuki, 28, were riding home after visiting their aunt when the speeding vehicle collided with their motorcycle.
Mwea-East Sub-County Police Commander Mohammed Jarso confirmed the incident, noting that the miraa pick-up was en route to Nairobi at the time of the crash.
“The accident is deeply unfortunate for the family and the residents of Difathas,” Jarso said.
Following the crash, the driver fled the scene, leaving the two bodies on the road.
Enraged locals blocked the highway in protest, accusing miraa drivers of reckless driving and blatant disregard for traffic regulations.
Police later arrested the driver in Ngurubani Town as he attempted to flee towards Nairobi. He is being held at Wang’uru Police Station and is expected to face charges in court.
This latest tragedy adds to a growing list of fatal crashes involving miraa transport vehicles.
Just three weeks ago, two children—aged 12 and 7—were killed by a miraa vehicle while cycling to school in Ngurubani.
Their deaths prompted widespread calls for stricter oversight of miraa drivers, but residents say little has changed.
The recurring accidents have highlighted what many see as a regulatory gap, with miraa transport vehicles often operating at dangerous speeds to meet tight delivery schedules.
Residents are now demanding immediate government intervention, including stricter enforcement of traffic laws and penalties for reckless drivers.
