Pain for Kirinyaga family as son, mother and grandmother killed in road accident

A family in Rukanga village, Mutithi Ward in Kirinyaga County has been left in shock after Wednesday's tragic road accident, which claimed three members of their family along the Mwea-Embu highway.

The fatal accident, which occurred at Research area on Wednesday morning, claimed the lives of Jackson Mwangi, 20, his mother, Susan Wanjiru, and his 75-year-old grandmother, Beth Wanjiru.

According to the family spokesman, John Gakotho, the three were on a motorcycle heading home from Wang'uru Law Court when the accident occurred.

"Jackson Mwangi, 20, was accompanied by his mother and his grandmother for mention of his case in Wang'uru Law Court when the accident happened on their way home," Gakotho said.

Gakotho disclosed that Mwangi had been remanded at Mwea GK Prison for 12 days after pleading not guilty to a defilement charge, before his grandmother, Beth Wanjiru, bonded him out using a title deed.

"We have a challenge laying the three to rest. We need help from local leaders and residents," said Peter Gaitho, lay leader at ACK Rukanga Church, and Pastor Wainaina Ngirigaca of AIPCA Church.

Beatrice Mukami Maina said she first heard the news from Inooro FM, and never thought it involved her sister Beth Wanjiru, her grandson Jackson Mwangi, and her brother-in-law Susan Wanjiru.

According to police from Mwea West Sub-County, the motorcycle driven by Jackson Mwangi was heading towards Makutano when it veered off its lane and encroached onto the opposite side of the road, colliding head-on with a matatu that was travelling from Makutano to Ngurubani.

“The impact was severe. All three—the rider and the two women passengers—died on the spot,” police said.

Michael Njue, the matatu driver, said he was driving from Nairobi towards Meru when the speeding motorcycle suddenly appeared in his lane.

The collision caused the motorcycle to become lodged beneath the front side of the matatu.