The rice planting season in Mwea, traditionally a period of optimism for casual labourers, has turned into a time of sorrow for families in Kimbimbi village following a fatal road accident at Murubara.
Among the ten victims was a pair of cousins, Purity Nyambura and Abigael Wangui, known for their close bond and constant companionship. The two women left home early on Saturday to report for work at Thiba Research Farm, hoping to earn Sh500 each planting rice. Tragically, they never reached their destination.
The cousins were passengers in a tuk-tuk that collided with a parcel truck at the Murubara blackspot along the Mwea–Embu Highway, a notorious accident site. The crash claimed ten lives and has plunged the local community into deep mourning.
Relatives described Purity and Abigael as inseparable friends as well as family, often seen together as neighbours and co-workers. Bernard Gitari, Purity's husband, expressed profound grief over the loss. “We could not believe it when we received the call that they had died on the spot,” he said.
Priscilla Wawira, Abigael’s mother, also mourned the loss, noting the cruel irony of the cousins dying together just as they lived closely.
Eight of the victims hailed from Kimbimbi, one from Nderwa, and the parcel truck driver was from Kerugoya. A joint memorial service is scheduled for Friday at Karoti Girls High School, after which the bodies will be returned to their respective homes for burial. The service will be led by clergy from the Full Gospel Churches of Kenya.
The tragedy has left many families grappling with loss, including David Kilonzo, who lost his wife Rosaline Wambui, and relatives of Charity Wanjiru, who leaves behind two young children. Charity’s family faces additional hardship as her father remains incarcerated and unaware of her death.
Residents of Kimbimbi and surrounding areas are calling on authorities to improve safety measures along the Mwea–Embu Highway. They urge the installation of speed bumps, better road signage, road repairs, and stricter enforcement against reckless driving to prevent future accidents.
