At least two people died on Saturday after a speeding Miraa pickup lost control and plowed into two pedestrians along the Kitui-Kibwezi Road near Kyatune Market in Kitui County.
The victims, identified as a pastor and a businessperson, were standing by the roadside when the vehicle veered off course, killing them instantly. Eyewitnesses reported that the impact of the accident was severe, with the victims’ bodies hurled several meters away.
Area Chief Kyambati King’ondu confirmed the incident, stating that the bodies were moved to Mutomo Level 4 Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations. Police have launched investigations to determine the cause of the accident, which highlights growing concerns about speeding Miraa vehicles in the area.
Former Cabinet Secretary for EAC, Arid, and Semi-Arid Lands, Peninah Malonza, expressed her condolences to the victims’ families on social media, describing the loss as heartbreaking. She called for Miraa drivers to prioritize safety and adhere to traffic laws to prevent further tragedies.
Residents have long decried reckless driving by Miraa transporters, which has led to numerous accidents in the region. Calls for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations have intensified following Saturday’s incident.
In a separate tragedy on Friday evening, two people died in a collision on the Machakos-Kitui Road near Kaseve in Machakos County. The crash involved a 14-seater matatu from Naekana Sacco and a Probox vehicle.
Machakos County police commander Patrick Lobolia confirmed that the deceased included a former deputy principal of Muthetheni Mixed School and the Probox driver. Several injured passengers were rushed to Machakos Level 5 Hospital, but some succumbed to their injuries upon arrival.
Authorities have urged caution and stricter adherence to road safety measures to curb the rising number of fatalities.
