65-year-old woman knocked down, killed while walking to church in Kirinyaga

A 65-year-old woman was killed on Saturday morning after she was hit by a pick-up vehicle while walking to Rukanga Catholic Church in Kirinyaga County.

Beatrice Wanjiru Gakindu Karani was knocked down at around 11:35 a.m. near the PAG Church in Rukanga village on the Sagana-Makutano road.

According to police, Wanjiru was crossing the road from left to right, facing Makutano, when she was hit by a Toyota Hilux pick-up driven by Peter Kanyi Maina.

She sustained multiple injuries and died on the spot, about 300 metres from her homestead.

The death left residents in shock, with mourners gathering at the scene as her church headscarf lay on the highway next to her lifeless body.

“We cannot believe Beatrice Wanjiru, a church woman whom we loved very much, is no more,” said Mr. Gikonyo.

Residents, led by Alex Ndambiri, said accidents had become increasingly common along the dual carriageway, raising fresh concerns over road safety.

Locals led by Pastor James Maina and Timothy Chomba called for greater caution among motorists and other road users, saying the stretch had become increasingly dangerous.

“The Sagana-Makutano-Embu-Mwea highway in Kirinyaga County has become a killer road. Road users should follow traffic rules,” said one resident, Ngina.

The accident came just days after Central Region Traffic Police Commander Elizabeth Vivi visited the area and sensitised residents and motorists on the safe use of the highway.

Residents said the latest death had renewed concerns over the safety of pedestrians and motorists using the busy highway.

The body was moved to Kibugi Funeral Home pending autopsy, while the Toyota Hilux was towed to the police station yard for inspection as investigations into the accident continued.