Machakos County, on Monday morning claimed the lives of two individuals. The victims, a bodaboda rider and his pillion passenger, a woman, were killed on the spot after their motorcycle was struck by a truck along the old Mombasa Road near the Yellow Flyover.
The accident occurred around 6:00 AM, according to Anderson Mbae, the Athi River East Subcounty Police Commander, who confirmed the incident shortly after it happened. The crash was reported by a local administrator to the Mlolongo Police Station as a fatal road accident.
Details of the Accident
Eyewitnesses say the bodaboda rider was ferrying the woman from the Mlolongo market when the collision took place. The truck, which was reportedly headed to a nearby quarry to pick up construction materials, collided with the motorcycle at Oilcom, a key area near the flyover. The force of the impact left both the rider and his passenger with fatal injuries, and they died instantly.
The truck’s driver, however, did not stop to assist or report the accident. He fled the scene immediately after the crash, leaving the victims and their wrecked motorcycle behind. This has further fueled anger among local residents, who blame the driver for the tragic deaths.
Public Outrage and Protests
Following the fatal incident, a large group of irate residents took to the streets to protest the deaths. The demonstration turned violent as members of the public blocked the busy Mombasa Road using tyres and stones. In their anger, they set the truck on fire, causing significant damage to the vehicle.
The Mlolongo police quickly responded to the scene, dispersing the protesters and restoring order. The wreckage of the truck and the motorcycle were cleared from the road and transported to the Mlolongo police station. Meanwhile, the bodies of the victims were taken to a local mortuary for postmortem examination.
Traffic Disruption
The accident and subsequent protests led to a severe traffic jam along the old Mombasa Road, which is a major thoroughfare connecting Nairobi to the coastal region. Motorists were forced to divert to alternative routes, leading to further delays during the morning rush hour. The presence of police and traffic officers on the scene eventually helped in clearing the congestion.
Investigation Underway
The police have launched an investigation into the accident, with a focus on locating the truck driver who fled the scene. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from the area and working with local witnesses to piece together the exact circumstances of the crash.
The truck’s involvement in the fatal crash, coupled with the driver’s immediate escape, has sparked concerns about road safety in the region. Local residents have called on authorities to take stronger action against reckless driving and to ensure that drivers involved in fatal accidents are held accountable.
The Mlolongo accident is the latest in a series of similar incidents that have raised alarm over road safety in Kenya. Bodaboda riders, who are among the most vulnerable road users in the country, have been involved in numerous accidents in recent years, many of which result in serious injuries or fatalities.
Authorities have long struggled to address the rising number of accidents, with calls for stricter regulations and better enforcement of traffic laws gaining momentum. For now, the tragic deaths in Mlolongo serve as a stark reminder of the dangers on Kenyan roads and the need for improved safety measures to protect both drivers and pedestrians.
A Call for Change
As the investigations continue, the tragic loss of life has sparked an outcry for justice and reforms in the transport sector. It also underscores the urgent need for heightened awareness about road safety, particularly in areas where bodaboda riders and heavy trucks frequently share the same roads.
The community’s demand for accountability and justice for the victims remains strong, and the authorities will be under pressure to ensure that the truck driver is apprehended and prosecuted for his role in this avoidable tragedy.
