In a heartbreaking incident, six school-going children tragically lost their lives in a hit-and-run accident at Wiitu Shopping Centre, Kitui County, on the morning of Friday, September 13, 2024. The accident, which occurred along the Kitui-Kibwezi Road at approximately 6:20 a.m., has left the local community in shock and mourning.
According to reports from Ithitha Deputy County Commissioner Vincent Loctary Lomachary, the children were knocked down by a speeding Probox while attempting to cross the road. Among the victims were three pupils from Kyaoni Primary School and three students from Kyaoni Secondary School. Five of the victims were girls, all aged between 10 and 16, who were walking to school when the tragedy struck. The gruesome accident happened at a time when children were heading to school, making the tragedy even more poignant as parents had just seen off their young ones, unaware that it would be their last moment together.
The Deputy County Commissioner stated that preliminary investigations suggested that the Probox was speeding at the time of the accident. The vehicle reportedly came out of nowhere and struck the children with such force that none of the victims survived the impact, dying on the spot. The carnage left the busy shopping center in a state of chaos as passersby and nearby residents rushed to the scene in a desperate attempt to offer help, only to be confronted by the horrific sight.
Eyewitnesses described the Probox driver fleeing immediately after the accident, leaving the scene without offering any assistance or checking on the injured children. The incident left those who witnessed it devastated, with many expressing anger at the driver’s reckless behavior. “It was like something out of a nightmare. One moment they were there, and the next, they were gone. It’s something I’ll never forget,” remarked one resident, recounting the traumatic event.
In the hours following the incident, the Probox driver, realizing the severity of the situation, surrendered himself to the Mutomo Police Station. His voluntary surrender came as a relief to the authorities, who had already launched a manhunt to track him down after he fled the scene. Police have since taken the driver into custody, and investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the accident. It is expected that charges of manslaughter will be filed against the driver, with many in the community calling for swift justice.
The tragic accident has sparked renewed discussions on road safety, particularly regarding the enforcement of speed limits and pedestrian safety along major roads in Kenya. Many residents of the area have voiced concerns over the frequent speeding of vehicles on the Kitui-Kibwezi Road, which is often used by school children. “There are no speed bumps or pedestrian crossings in this area, despite the fact that so many children walk to school every day,” said a concerned parent. “We have been asking for these safety measures for a long time, and it’s tragic that it takes the loss of lives for people to listen.”
The Ministry of Education has expressed its condolences to the families of the victims, with Education Cabinet Secretary addressing the issue of student safety while commuting to and from school. “This is a devastating tragedy, and our hearts go out to the families who have lost their children today. We must ensure that our roads are safe for all, especially for our children, who are our future,” the Cabinet Secretary said in a statement. He further called on local authorities to review road safety measures near schools and other pedestrian-heavy areas to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Local leaders and residents have planned a vigil to remember the lives of the six children, with many calling on the government to take immediate action to improve road safety in the region. The deaths of these children serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by reckless driving and the need for stricter regulations and enforcement to protect pedestrians, especially in areas frequented by school children.
As the families of the victims prepare to bury their loved ones, the community remains in mourning, grappling with the senseless loss of young lives. The accident has left a permanent scar on the local community, with many expressing that things will never be the same again. The tragic loss of the six young students is a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of road safety measures that protect the most vulnerable among us—our children.
While the legal process will unfold, many are left asking themselves how such a tragedy could have been avoided and what must be done to ensure that no other family has to endure the same pain.
