A foreign national lost his life on Thursday afternoon after being struck by a speeding presidential convoy along Ngong Road in Nairobi. The tragic incident occurred near Adams Arcade as the convoy was en route from Lang’ata to Kibra constituency.
According to eyewitnesses, the victim, described as a middle-aged white man, was attempting to cross the road when he was hit by one of the vehicles in the high-speed motorcade. It remains unclear whether he was aware of the oncoming convoy, which was moving at high speed as part of President William Ruto’s scheduled visit to Kibra.
A senior officer familiar with the incident termed it an unfortunate accident, adding that the relevant authorities are reviewing the circumstances that led to the tragedy. The body of the deceased has since been moved to the City Mortuary, where an autopsy will be conducted to establish further details.
The presidential convoy was heading to Kibra, where President Ruto is currently undertaking a meet-the-people tour. The visit is part of his ongoing efforts to strengthen his unity pact with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The Head of State has commissioned several development projects in Kibra and Lang’ata constituencies, aiming to enhance infrastructure and public services in the area.
President Ruto, accompanied by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and several opposition lawmakers, is set to address a public gathering at Kibra DC Grounds later today. His tour comes amidst efforts to bridge political divides and foster collaboration between the government and opposition leaders.
The fatal accident has raised concerns regarding road safety, particularly during high-profile motorcades that often travel at high speeds with minimal notice to pedestrians and other road users. While presidential convoys are known to move with urgency, calls for stricter adherence to traffic regulations and enhanced public awareness have been reignited following this incident.
Authorities are expected to issue an official statement regarding the matter, including any potential measures to improve road safety during official motorcades. The identity of the deceased is yet to be officially released pending notification of the next of kin.
