A tragic road accident at Kibirigwi in Kirinyaga County has left residents in shock after a speeding vehicle reportedly lost control and crashed into pupils and parents along the Kenol-Marua dual carriageway on Thursday night.
According to reports from the scene, one pupil from Kibirigwi Junior School died on the spot while several others suffered serious injuries.
The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment as residents and motorists gathered at the scene in disbelief.
Witnesses said the vehicle was moving at high speed before the driver lost control and rammed into a group of pupils and parents who were along the roadside.
The impact caused panic in the area, with residents expressing anger over what they described as reckless driving on a road that has witnessed several accidents in recent months.
Following the incident, angry residents blocked the busy Sagana-Karatina road in protest, demanding accountability and stronger measures to protect pedestrians.
The demonstration caused major traffic disruption as vehicles were forced to seek alternative routes while authorities worked to restore order.
The tragedy has once again raised concerns about road safety in Kirinyaga County, where a number of fatal accidents have been reported in recent weeks.
Residents have been calling for stricter enforcement of traffic rules, improved pedestrian safety measures, and tougher action against motorists who endanger lives through careless driving.
The latest accident comes shortly after another tragedy in the county involving a fuel tanker explosion near the River Sagana area along the Nairobi-Nyeri Highway.
In that incident, two people lost their lives when the tanker exploded under circumstances that are still being investigated.
The explosion caused significant disruption along the busy highway, leaving traffic at a standstill for more than an hour. Emergency responders and traffic police were later deployed to manage the situation and redirect motorists as investigations began.
Both incidents have sparked questions about road safety and the speed of emergency response during major accidents. Residents say more needs to be done to prevent the loss of lives and improve safety along key highways in the county.
