Eight people lost their lives and three others were injured in a tragic road accident at Murubara on the Mwea-Embu Highway in Kirinyaga County.
The incident occurred when a parcel truck traveling from Mwea towards Embu collided head-on with a tuk-tuk heading to Ngurubani. The tuk-tuk was carrying farm workers from Kimbimbi to the Mwea Irrigation Research area for rice planting.
Mwea East Sub-County Police Commander Stephen Okal confirmed that five victims were inside the parcel truck, one was in the tuk-tuk, and two pedestrians along the roadside were also fatally struck. The truck driver sustained minor injuries and was arrested at the scene.
The injured were taken to nearby healthcare facilities, with two admitted at Kimbimbi Hospital and one with serious injuries transferred to Kerugoya County Referral Hospital. The deceased were moved to Kerugoya Mortuary.
Local residents suggested the truck driver lost control while trying to avoid potholes on the highway, leading to the fatal collision.
