A vehicle ferrying miraa crashed into a building under construction at Kianjang’a along the Baricho-Kiburu road in Ndia, Kirinyaga County, leaving the driver injured in an incident that has sparked renewed concerns about road safety.
According to local witnesses, the driver lost control of the vehicle while trying to avoid an oncoming car, leading to the crash. Eyewitness Ann Njeri described the dramatic sequence of events, recalling the impact and subsequent efforts to assist the injured driver. “I couldn’t believe it. There was a cloud of dust, and the next thing I knew, the vehicle had crashed. I raised the alarm, and we rushed him to Baricho Health Centre. Later, the health workers transferred him by ambulance to Kerugoya Referral Hospital,” Njeri said.
The driver, who complained of severe chest pain, was initially treated at Baricho Health Centre before being transferred for advanced care. Fortunately, no one was inside or near the building at the time of the crash.
The crash has intensified local frustrations over reckless driving by miraa transport vehicles, which residents claim have become a menace on the Baricho-Kiburu road. Francis Muthike, a resident, lamented the increasing frequency of such incidents, citing unsafe driving practices as a major concern. “These miraa vehicles are often driven recklessly, and it’s causing more accidents. Something needs to be done,” he stated.
Eyewitnesses reported that another miraa vehicle quickly arrived at the scene and transferred the miraa from the wrecked vehicle before police arrived, raising questions about accountability and road safety practices in the miraa transport industry.
Kirinyaga West (Ndia) Police Commander Moses Koskei confirmed the incident and emphasized that the crash occurred at a time when many residents were in church, sparing further casualties. “Fortunately, the road was not crowded. The driver is now in stable condition and recording a statement at Sagana Police Station,” Koskei said.
He issued a stern warning to miraa drivers to adhere to traffic rules, highlighting the need for discipline among drivers ferrying the popular stimulant. Koskei also confirmed that the vehicle wreckage had been towed to Sagana Police Station for further investigation.
This incident underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to curb reckless driving and ensure the safety of road users in Kirinyaga County.
