Tragedy struck twice in separate road accidents in Kenya, leaving four dead and several others injured. The incidents occurred within hours of each other along the Kitui-Kibwezi and Machakos-Kitui roads.
On Saturday morning, a speeding miraa-laden pick-up van claimed the lives of a bodaboda rider and a pedestrian in Kwa Toma, along the Kitui-Kibwezi road. According to Kyambati King’ondu, the senior chief for Kyatune in Ikanga Division, Kitui South Subcounty, the accident occurred around 7 a.m.
“I rushed to the scene and found that a miraa pick-up had knocked down two people, who died on the spot,” Chief King’ondu stated.
The collision occurred when the pick-up van collided with the bodaboda rider, veered off the road, and struck a pedestrian walking along the sidewalk. The van, carrying a load of miraa, came to a halt several meters into the bush after spilling part of its cargo.
Traffic police arrived to examine the scene and transported the bodies to the morgue. Chief King’ondu urged all road users to exercise caution, emphasizing the need for vigilance near roads.
“People walking or conducting business near roads should remain vigilant and alert, as vehicles can lose control unexpectedly,” he advised.
Hours earlier, on Friday evening, two lives were lost in a grisly head-on collision along the Machakos-Kitui road at Kaseve in Machakos County. According to Machakos County police commander Patrick Lobolia, the deceased included the driver of a Probox vehicle and his passenger.
The collision involved the Probox and a 14-seater matatu, which left 14 passengers injured. The injured were rushed to Machakos Level 5 Hospital for treatment.
“Two people died on the spot after a Probox and a matatu collided head-on at Kaseve,” Lobolia said, speaking to The Star.
The two accidents highlight the growing concern over road safety in the region. Authorities are urging drivers to adhere to speed limits and exercise caution to prevent such tragedies.
As families mourn the loss of their loved ones, the accidents serve as a grim reminder of the need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and heightened awareness among road users.
