Eight individuals lost their lives in a fatal collision on the Mwea-Embu Highway near Murubara trading centre in Kirinyaga County early Saturday, August 1, 2026. The accident involved a parcel truck and a tuk-tuk transporting farm workers to the Mwea Irrigation Research Area.
Mwea East Sub-County Police Commander Stephen Okal reported that the truck, heading from Mwea towards Embu, collided with the tuk-tuk at approximately 6:00 a.m. Seven women and one man died on the scene, while another passenger was critically injured and taken to Kerugoya County Referral Hospital. The deceased were taken to Kerugoya Mortuary.
Residents who responded to the crash had to use a hacksaw to free victims trapped in the wreckage. In the aftermath, locals expressed frustration over the poor state of the highway, which they say has long been a dangerous stretch prone to accidents.
Community Concerns and Calls for Action
- Locals accused authorities of neglecting road maintenance, highlighting that potholes and uneven surfaces have persisted for years, especially on the section from Mwea junction towards Meru.
- Some suggested the truck driver may have swerved to avoid potholes caused by ongoing construction, potentially contributing to the collision.
- Residents reported multiple fatalities on this stretch in recent times, urging the government and Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to urgently repair the road, fill potholes, and install speed calming measures such as speed bumps.
- One resident lamented the frequent loss of boda boda riders and other road users, stressing the human cost of the neglected highway.
Police have called on motorists to drive carefully, adhere to traffic regulations, and avoid speeding as investigations into the crash continue.
