Malindi was rocked by tragedy early Saturday morning when a boda-boda operator lost his life in a fatal accident involving a lorry along the Malindi-Sala Gate road. The deceased, identified as 45-year-old Kahindi Birya Fondo, succumbed to severe head injuries sustained in the collision.
According to reports, the accident occurred at the Furunzi area when Fondo, who was riding a motorcycle (registration number KMFD 253 W), attempted to join the main road from a feeder road. The oncoming lorry (registration number KCL 227 K), which was ferrying maize and wheat flour, ran over the motorcyclist, resulting in his critical injuries. Emergency responders rushed him to the Malindi Sub County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The tragic incident quickly escalated as enraged residents descended on the scene, looting the truck’s cargo before setting the vehicle ablaze. The lorry driver, 28-year-old Mohamed Hassan, managed to flee the scene for his safety but later presented himself at the Malindi Police Station.
Confirming the incident, Malindi Sub County Police Commander Jos Mudavadi stated that preliminary investigations indicate the motorcyclist entered the intersection without yielding, leading to the fatal crash. He added that law enforcement officers and firefighters from the Malindi fire station promptly responded to the scene to contain the looting and extinguish the fire.
The motorcycle involved in the accident was transported to the Malindi Police Station for further examination. Meanwhile, Fondo’s body was taken to the Malindi Sub County Hospital mortuary, where it is awaiting an autopsy as investigations continue.
The incident highlights the growing concerns over road safety, especially at busy intersections where motorcyclists and heavy commercial vehicles share the road. Authorities have urged road users to exercise caution and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent such devastating accidents.
Police are expected to question the lorry driver and eyewitnesses to establish the full circumstances surrounding the accident. Local leaders and road safety advocates have also called for enhanced awareness and enforcement of road safety measures to curb such tragedies in the future.
