At least eight people lost their lives in a tragic road accident involving a lorry and a tuk-tuk along the Mwea-Embu Road in Kirinyaga County on Saturday morning.
The crash occurred around 6:45 a.m. in the Murubara area when the lorry, traveling from Mwea towards Embu, veered into the opposite lane to avoid potholes and collided head-on with a tuk-tuk heading in the opposite direction.
Police reports indicate that the impact also struck pedestrians walking along the roadside. Those killed include a 29-year-old male passenger in the lorry, four unidentified adult women inside the tuk-tuk, and three adult women walking nearby.
One 27-year-old woman who was traveling in the lorry sustained minor knee injuries and was taken to Kimbimbi Level IV Hospital for treatment.
Authorities responded promptly, moving the deceased to Kerugoya Level V Hospital Mortuary for post-mortem examinations and identification. Both vehicles were extensively damaged and are currently held at a police station pending further inspection.
The lorry driver has been arrested and is in custody as investigations into the exact cause of the collision continue. Preliminary findings suggest the driver’s attempt to avoid potholes may have contributed to the accident.
This incident follows a recent spate of fatal road crashes in the country, with authorities citing factors such as speeding, reckless driving, poor vehicle maintenance, and deteriorating road conditions as common contributors.
