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Kirinyaga County is mourning the loss of three junior secondary school pupils who died in a tragic road accident on Sunday, February 23. The children were riding on a motorcycle that collided head-on with a lorry at Gatugura along the Kutus-Kimunye road in Gichugu.
How the Accident Happened
According to Kirinyaga East Sub-County Police Commander Johnson Wachira, the accident occurred as the motorcycle attempted to overtake a saloon car. The lorry, which was heading from Kimunye to Kutus, crashed into the motorcycle carrying four schoolchildren. Three of them died on the spot, while the fourth, who was also the rider, sustained severe injuries and was rushed to the hospital.
“The victims were all pupils at Kimunye Primary School in Kairegi village,” Wachira stated. “The motorcycle was overtaking another vehicle when it collided with the lorry, which reportedly belonged to a former chief.”
Call for Action and Safety Concerns
Local residents expressed their grief over the tragic loss, calling for improved road safety measures along the Kutus-Kimunye highway.
“This is a heartbreaking loss for our community. The children were from the same school, and we are all devastated,” said a resident.
Another local, Purity Wangui, urged authorities to install speed bumps and streetlights, citing frequent accidents in the area.
“We have lost many lives on this road, yet nothing has been done. Leaders need to act before another tragedy strikes,” she added.
Police Warning to Parents
Following the accident, Wachira warned parents against allowing minors to operate motorcycles, emphasizing the risks involved and the legal restrictions.
The lorry and motorcycle were taken to Kianyaga Police Station as investigations into the incident continue. The bodies of the deceased were moved to Kerugoya Hospital Mortuary.
Previous Accidents in Kirinyaga
This tragedy follows two separate motorcycle accidents in Kirinyaga County that recently claimed the lives of two boda boda operators at Red Soil along the Mwea-Embu Highway. One rider was pronounced dead at Kimbimbi Sub-County Hospital, while the other succumbed at the scene of the crash.
Authorities have urged road users to exercise caution to prevent further loss of lives.
