A sombre mood has engulfed Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, following a tragic road accident that claimed the lives of two people after a pickup truck plunged into River Nyamindi at Kaboro Bridge on Thursday evening.
According to Gichugu Sub-County Police Commander, the 7pm incident involved a vehicle transporting logs to Kiamugumo Village in Ngariama Ward. The pickup, which had five occupants, veered off the road and fell into the river. While three individuals managed to escape with injuries, two remained trapped in the submerged vehicle.
The victims have been identified as Vincent Kiura, the driver of the vehicle, and his aunt, Grace Kithii Njeru, a secretary at Kiamugumo Girls Secondary School. The tragedy has deeply shaken the local community, with many expressing grief over the loss.
Ngariama Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Daniel Muriithi Kibinga confirmed the identities of the deceased and shared that Grace Kithii had recently lost her husband, who worked as a banker, compounding the grief for her family.
“This is truly heartbreaking. The woman had just lost her husband, and now the family is mourning her and her nephew,” said MCA Kibinga.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation. However, MCA Kibinga attributed part of the blame to the poor state of the road at Kaboro Bridge. He highlighted that the road’s deplorable condition, coupled with the absence of guardrails, poses a significant danger to motorists.
Rescue operations, which began on Thursday night, have been hindered by high water levels and large rocks in the river. Residents from Karucho and Mbiri villages, who camped overnight at the riverbank, managed to recover the vehicle’s number plate.
Led by local elder Joseph Kamau, the residents have appealed to the government to rehabilitate the road and install safety features. “The road from Karucho to Mbiri is in terrible shape. We demand it be murramed and guardrails installed to prevent future accidents,” said Kamau.
As efforts to retrieve the bodies and vehicle continue, the community remains united in grief, hoping this tragedy prompts urgent infrastructure improvements.
