8 dead, 3 injured as speeding truck rams tuk-tuk in Kirinyaga

The tragic incident occurred at Murubara when a fast-moving parcel delivery truck collided head-on with a tuk-tuk carrying local agricultural laborers.

Confirming the catastrophe, Mwea-East Sub-County Police Commander Stephen Okal reported that eight victims succumbed to their injuries on the spot.

According to Commander Okal, the parcel truck was traveling toward Embu from Mwea when it veered into oncoming traffic and slammed into the tuk-tuk, which was heading in the direction of Ngurubani. 

The tuk-tuk was transporting farm workers from Kimbimbi who were en route to plant rice in the Mwea Irrigation Research area.

Out of the eight fatalities, five were occupants of the parcel truck, one was inside the tuk-tuk, and two were roadside pedestrians swept up in the high-speed impact.

"The scene was horrific," said local residents, led by Bishop Carson and John Muriuki. 

Eyewitnesses claimed the parcel truck lost control while the driver was attempting to maneuver around deep potholes that dot the stretch of highway.

The driver of the parcel truck survived the impact with minor injuries and has since been taken into police custody as investigations begin.

Emergency responders rushed three survivors to nearby medical facilities. 

Two victims are currently receiving treatment at Kimbimbi Hospital, while a third victim - who suffered severe injuries - was transferred to the Kerugoya County Referral Hospital for specialized emergency care.

The bodies of the eight deceased victims have been moved to the Kerugoya Mortuary pending identification and post-mortem examinations. 

Local police have cleared the wreckage and launched a full investigation into the crash.