Two people killed as vehicle plunges into River Nyamindi in Kirinyaga

Two people have died after a pickup truck they were travelling in plunged into River Nyamindi at Kaboro Bridge in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, on Thursday evening.

Gichugu Sub-County Police Commander confirmed the 7pm incident, stating that the pickup was carrying five people at the time. Two of them—now confirmed dead—remain trapped in the vehicle submerged in the river, while three others managed to escape.

The pickup, which was transporting logs to Kiamugumo Village in Ngariama Ward, lost control and veered off the road into the river.

“We are still investigating the cause of the accident. Our team has been at the scene since last night, working with local residents to recover the vehicle and retrieve the bodies,” said the police commander.

According to Ngariama Ward MCA Daniel Muriithi Kibinga, the victims were a man who was driving the vehicle and his aunt, a secretary at Kiamugumo Girls Secondary School.

 He identified the victims as Grace Kithii Njeru, a secretary at Kiamugumo Girls Secondary School, and Vincent Kiura, her sister’s son who was driving the vehicle.

"The man, who was the driver, was a nephew to the woman. It is heartbreaking, especially because her husband, who worked as a banker, passed away recently," said Kibinga.

MCA Kibinga noted that the road at Kaboro Bridge is in a deplorable condition, which may have contributed to the accident. He added that ongoing rescue efforts were being hampered by the high water volume and presence of large rocks in the river.

Residents from Karucho and Mbiri, who camped at the riverbank overnight, recovered the vehicle's number plate. Led by Joseph Kamau, they called on the government to improve the road and install proper guardrails at the bridge.

“The road from Karucho to Mbiri is in terrible shape. We are demanding that it be murramed and fitted with safety guardrails to prevent future accidents,” said Kamau