Concerns grow over safety on Mwea–Embu highway after another fatal accident

The latest incident occurred on Tuesday night, when a woman was killed on the spot at Kiarukungu, near Ngurubani town, after she was hit by a matatu and thrown onto another vehicle.

According to local residents Gudson Muchina and John Mwangi, the woman, who was from Kiarukungu, was crossing the road from the Murubara side when the accident happened.

They are now calling on the government to install traffic control measures, including roadblocks, and urged drivers, pedestrians and motorcyclists to strictly observe traffic rules.

The residents say the situation is worsening, noting that at least five people have died in separate accidents along the highway since last Wednesday. The victims include two couples who were crushed by a vehicle at Difathas, a man who was hit at Nyangati, a miraa driver who died on Saturday, and the latest victim at Kiarukungu.

Speaking in Mwea last week, Ndia Member of Parliament George Kariuki, who also chairs the National Assembly Committee on Roads and Infrastructure, assured residents that plans are underway to construct a dual carriageway from Makutano to Meru to improve safety along the highway.

“I chair the Roads and Infrastructure Committee in the National Assembly, and this road will soon be upgraded to a dual carriageway to help curb accidents,” he said.