Kirinyaga residents threaten to bar miraa vehicles from Mwea-Embu highway over rampant accidents

Residents of Mwea in Kirinyaga County have threatened to block miraa vehicles from using the busy Mwea-Embu highway after the death of two children who were buried on Tuesday in an emotional send-off.

In a burial ceremony that was held at Kithogondo slums in Kirinyaga County, speaker after speaker expressed their frustrations over a series of accidents involving cars ferrying miraa.

“We will only allow miraa vehicles going at a speed of 40 kilometres per hour along this highway; no other person is  going to be killed by a miraa vehicle,” Tebere MCA Peter Karinga said.

Angry mourners expressed concern over what they termed as failure by the traffic police department to tame speeding vehicles.

“Where is the government of Kenya when these miraa vehicles are flouting traffic rules? They neither slow down nor stop in our major towns like Ngurubani,” Peter Murungaru said.

On November 27, two children from Kithogondo slums in Ngurubani town who were riding a bicycle were killed by a miraa vehicle, prompting the residents to close the busy Mwea-Embu highway.

The mourners asked the National Police Service to ensure enforcement of traffic rules and take action against careless drivers causing action.

“Right now the miraa vehicles are using the same speed after diverting to Kutus-Kagio-sagana road after they were chased away  from  using Mwea-embu highway.' Phillip Njogu said. 

The two children were buried yesterday in one grave at Kasarani cemetery in Thiba ward.