Eight people lost their lives early Saturday morning in a severe road accident along the Mwea–Embu Highway in Kirinyaga County. The crash involved a parcel truck and a tuk-tuk transporting farm workers to the Mwea Irrigation Research area.
The incident occurred around 6:00 a.m. near Murubara, according to Mwea East Sub-County Police Commander Stephen Okal. The parcel truck, traveling from Mwea to Embu, collided head-on with the tuk-tuk heading towards Ngurubani. The tuk-tuk was carrying farm workers from Kimbimbi on their way to rice planting.
Among the deceased were seven women and one man, all pronounced dead at the scene. Locals and emergency teams struggled to extract the victims from the crushed tuk-tuk, resorting to using a hacksaw to cut through the wreckage.
Residents have expressed frustration over the poor condition of the Murubara stretch, labeling it a frequent accident hotspot and urging authorities to undertake urgent repairs.
One injured individual was rushed to Kerugoya County Referral Hospital for treatment. The bodies were transported to Kerugoya Mortuary pending identification and autopsy procedures.
The parcel truck driver sustained minor injuries and was arrested. He is currently held at Wang'uru Police Station as investigations continue.
Police have appealed to motorists to remain vigilant and adhere to traffic rules to prevent further tragedies on the roads.
