Eight people were killed after a truck flattened a tuk-tuk carrying passengers in a road crash at Murubara village along the Mwea–Embu Highway in Mwea East, Kirinyaga County.
Mwea East Sub-County Police Commander Stephen Okal confirmed the incident, saying the fatal crash occurred on Saturday morning.
Eyewitnesses said the speeding parcel truck rammed head-on into the tuk-tuk, causing a devastating impact.
According to Okal, all eight victims died at the scene. He said the parcel truck was traveling from Mwea towards Embu when it veered into the path of the oncoming tuk-tuk, which was heading to Ngurubani.
Events Leading to the Tuk-Tuk Accident
The tuk-tuk was transporting farm workers from Kimbimbi to the Mwea Irrigation Research area, where they had been hired to plant rice.
Police said five of those who lost their lives were traveling in the parcel truck, while two pedestrians walking along the roadside were also fatally struck. The eighth victim was a passenger in the tuk-tuk.
The truck driver escaped with minor injuries and was arrested as police launched investigations into the crash.
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Three other people were injured in the accident. Two were taken to Kimbimbi Hospital for treatment, while a critically injured victim was referred to Kerugoya County Referral Hospital.
The bodies of the deceased were moved to Kerugoya Mortuary pending identification and post-mortem examinations.
Residents alleged that the truck driver lost control while attempting to avoid potholes along the highway before crashing into the tuk-tuk and hitting pedestrians.
Road Carnage Continues
The Murubara crash came barely two days after another deadly night on Kenya’s roads left at least 12 people dead in separate accidents on Thursday, July 30.
In the first incident, seven people were killed after a trailer collided head-on with a 14-seater matatu along the Eldoret–Nakuru highway near Kamara in Uasin Gishu County.
The impact left the passenger vehicle extensively damaged, with several other occupants sustaining injuries and being rushed to hospital.
Hours later, another fatal crash occurred along the Marsabit–Isiolo highway, where a lorry collided with a trailer.
The collision sparked a fire that engulfed one of the vehicles, killing five people. Emergency responders and police officers recovered the bodies from the scene as investigations into the cause of the accident got underway.
NTSA Steps Up Road Safety Operations
Earlier, NTSA announced a nationwide road safety operation ahead of the August school holidays, when learners were expected to travel home.
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In a statement issued on July 23, the authority said the operation will be conducted in collaboration with the National Police Service, County Transport and Safety Committees, and other stakeholders under the ongoing Operation Watoto Wafike Salama campaign.
“As part of the ongoing Operation Watoto Wafike Salama Campaign, the Authority, in collaboration with the National Police Service, County Transport and Safety Committees, and other stakeholders, will intensify road safety compliance checks and public awareness campaigns along major transport corridors,” NTSA said.
According to the authority, enforcement teams were to conduct heightened patrols and random inspections targeting vehicles transporting children to ensure they meet all road safety requirements.
Officers would inspect speed limiters, seat belts, tires, brakes, lights, and other mandatory safety features. They will also enforce laws against speeding, overloading, drunk driving, driver fatigue, and other traffic offenses.
In addition, officers were to verify driving licenses, Public Service Vehicles
(PSV) badges, road service licenses, and vehicle inspection certificates to ensure transport operators comply with the law.
NTSA also said it would intensify public awareness campaigns to encourage motorists to observe road safety rules during the holiday travel period.
The authority urged parents, guardians, school transport providers, motorists, and the public to exercise extra caution, warning that increased travel during school closures raises the risk of road traffic crashes involving learners.
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