At least two people have died following a fatal road accident that occurred along the Kwale-Kombani road at Matairini in Kwale county on Monday.
The accident involved a Toyota Voxy Station Wagon that rolled several times seriously injuring the people onboard.
The police have identified the two as Barrack Mugambi, 22, and Eristus Karani.
According to the police statement, when the tragic incident happened, the vehicle was driven from Kwale towards Kombani.
“It happened that the motor vehicle was being driven from Kwale towards Kombani general direction and upon reaching the location of the accident the driver lost proper physical control whereby the car rolled several times,” reads the statement.
The statement further says that as a result of the impact the driver was ejected from the car and sustained head injuries while another passenger had fractures on the rib cage.
The two were rushed to Kwale subcounty Hospital and were pronounced dead on arrival.
The bodies were taken to Kwale Mortuary and the vehicle was towed to Diani Police Station for further investigation.
According to an eyewitness Fredric Mwachai, the driver was carrying muguka and was speeding before one of the vehicle’s tyres bursted forcing it to roll.
Residents at the scene rushed to collect the muguka which had been packed into smaller bags, as efforts to rescue the driver continued.
County officer Ronald Chakaya said following the county's stringent laws under the County Finance Act 2024 to regulate muguka in Kwale, many people have opted to use private vehicles and other means to sneak the crop.
In the new law, the sellers are required to part with Sh50,000 to be licenced to sell muguka and miraa, a considerable jump from the previous Sh10,000.
Muguka transporters use lorries weighing 15 tonnes to pay Sh300, 000 while motorcycles pay Sh30, 000 from Sh3, 000.
Chakaya said since the law became effective many people have been trying to evade paying taxes by devising new ways for the muguka to reach the marker unnoticed.
“We believe the car was used to transport Muguka because so many sacks of the product were found when we inspected,” he said.
Chakaya added that more measures are in place to enhance compliance and arrest anyone trying to violate the law.
