Three people were critically injured following a road accident involving a 14-seater matatu and a truck. The accident occurred this morning at Giampampo area along the Meru-Nairobi highway, Tharaka-Nithi County.
According to eye-witnesses, the driver of the matatu that was destined for Nairobi from Meru town was trying to overhaul another vehicle when it rammed into an oncoming truck.
“The truck tried to avoid a head-on collision with the speeding matatu,” said Ms. Violet Gatwiri, an eye-witness.
MOTORIST TRAPPED
Mr. James Mutegi, another witness, said they were forced to cut off parts of the matatu using an axe to rescue the diver who was trapped in the wreckage.
Maara OCPD Johnston Kabusia said they had launched investigations to establish the actual cause of the accident. He, however, urged motorists to avoid over-speeding, especially, where the road is not clear.
“This section of the road between Nkubu and Chuka towns has very many corners and drivers must drive carefully,” said Mr. Kabusia.
SPEED BUMPS
Residents have urged The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to erect speed bumps at the scene of the accident. They claimed that many people, including school children, had lost their lives at the same spot in the past.
“No single week, ends without an accident here,” said Mr. Nicholas Kimathi, a local boda-boda rider.
The wounded were rushed to Chuka County Referral Hospital for treatment.