At least eight people have been killed and one other seriously injured in a horrific road accident involving a tuk-tuk and a lorry at Murubara along the Mwea-Embu highway in Kirinyaga County.
The crash occurred on Saturday morning, August 1, 2026, as the victims were reportedly heading to a rice-planting job.
Mwea East Sub-County Police Commander Stephen Okal confirmed the fatalities, saying the only survivor was a passenger in the lorry and is currently receiving treatment at Kimbimbi Hospital.
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“Eight people died in the accident. One passenger who was in the lorry sustained injuries and is being treated at Kimbimbi Hospital,” Okal said.
Eyewitnesses said the lorry was travelling from Mwea towards Embu when the driver allegedly swerved to avoid potholes, lost control, and crashed head-on into the oncoming tuk-tuk.
“The lorry was trying to avoid potholes when the driver lost control and hit the tuk-tuk,” said witness Jamric Kariuki.
The impact of the collision left the tuk-tuk mangled, with rescue efforts drawing residents and police officers to the scene.
The accident has reignited concerns over the deteriorating condition of the Mwea-Embu highway, with residents blaming deep potholes and speeding vehicles for the growing number of deadly crashes on the route.
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Area MP Mary Maingi, who visited the scene and condoled with the bereaved families, called on the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to urgently install speed bumps from Red Soil to Ngurubani town and accelerate road repairs.
“As the people of Mwea, we are deeply saddened by the loss of lives this morning. We are urging KeNHA to erect road bumps along this section to slow down speeding vehicles and help prevent further accidents,” she said.
The bodies of the eight victims have been moved to the Kerugoya Level Five Hospital mortuary pending identification and post-mortem examinations, while police have launched investigations into the cause of the crash.
The Mwea-Embu highway has in recent months recorded a series of fatal accidents, with local leaders and residents repeatedly demanding urgent intervention from road authorities.
