Police have arrested the driver of a government vehicle in President William Ruto’s motorcade that struck and killed a foreign national along Ngong Road on Thursday. The deceased, identified as Edgar Charles Frederick, a 79-year-old British citizen, was fatally injured near Adams Arcade as he attempted to cross the road.
According to police sources, the driver, whose identity remains undisclosed, was taken into custody but was later released on cash bail as he awaits arraignment in court. Law enforcement agencies have launched investigations into the incident, and the vehicle involved was towed to Kilimani Police Station for forensic examination.
Witnesses at the scene reported that Frederick, who reportedly had a hearing impairment, did not hear the warnings from a traffic officer who was clearing the road for the motorcade. The collision occurred despite the officer’s attempts to alert pedestrians of the oncoming convoy.
In response to the tragic event, the National Police Service (NPS) has urged all road users, including motorists and pedestrians, to exercise extreme caution and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent accidents.
“The National Police Service urges motorists, pedestrians, and all other road users to exercise extreme caution and adhere to traffic rules to prevent accidents,” NPS stated in an official release.
Following the accident, Frederick’s body was transferred to Lee Funeral Home, where a postmortem examination will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death. His family and the British High Commission have been notified of the incident.
This accident has reignited discussions about the safety measures in place when high-profile convoys navigate busy urban areas. While presidential motorcades are given right of way, concerns have been raised over their speed and the risks posed to pedestrians, particularly in crowded areas.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates as investigations continue. Meanwhile, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for better coordination between traffic enforcement officers and the public to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
