Grief as three children buried after accident in Nyahururu

Three siblings who died instantly in a road crash at Solio Ranch along the Nyeri-Nyahururu on December 28, 2023, have been buried at their home in Heni Village, Gathabai area of Kinangop, Nyandarua county.

The children aged three, six and nine were interred together with their grandmother who died upon receiving the news of their (the children's) demise.

The siblings’ mother, Catherine Wanjiru did not attend her children’s funeral because she is still hospitalised in critical condition at Othaya Hospital in Nyeri.

Local leaders, among them Nyandarua woman representative Faith Wairimu Gitau, Nyandarua deputy governor Mathara Mwangi and his Nyeri counterpart, Kinaniri wa Warui appealed to motorists, especially public service vehicles to observe traffic rules.

They attributed road crashes to fatigue, drunk driving and speeding among drivers adding that these are causes that can be avoided through discipline.

“Drivers, especially those handling PSVs should always remember that they are carrying lives and that a simple mistake could lead to deaths and permanent disabilities,” Nyandarua Woman Representative said.

Kinaniri asked the management of Matatu Saccos to ensure that they are responsible and competent and comply with traffic rules to avoid road crashes and loss of life.

The accident which left 10 people, among them six family members and a boda boda rider involved a 14-seater matatu, a saloon car and a motorbike.

According to the police, the rider, the three children and another four people died on the spot while another two individuals died while undergoing treatment at Consolata Hospital Mathari in Nyeri.

Other survivors were treated at Mary Immaculate Hospital Mweiga with others referred to the Nyeri County Referral Level 5 Hospital.

Nyeri police commander, Benjamin Rotich said the saloon car could have been overloaded at the time of the accident because it had nine occupants.

“The vehicle which was travelling from Nyeri had nine occupants who included five adults and four children,” he said.