The Kenyans who died in the road accident in Arusha were a part of a group of elite street racers with a thirst for speed, perhaps inspired by the Hollywood blockbuster movie, Fast and Furious.
The speed lovers, who regularly hold racing events known as drag races in various parts of the country, drive some of the fastest cars on the streets of Nairobi.
The Kenyan-Tanzanian car racing event organized in Arusha Tanzania on Sunday afternoon ended tragically after Several people were killed and others injured after the cars taking part in the competition were involved a tragic road accident.
The accident occurred at Oldonyosambu area on the Arusha-Namanga road at the border between Kenya and Tanzania.
Among those who perished in the tragedy was a relative associated with Purity Wangui Ngirici who went on the headlines in the 2017 election when she stole the show for launching a massive air and land campaign in Kirinyaga to emerge the winner.
21-year-old Robin Kiambuthi, who described his car, a Mitsubishi Colt, as a “little speed monster.” He had modified it to make it faster and more comfortable.
“Much condolences to the family of Robin Kiambuthi, son of prominent businessman Patrick Njiru Kuria (aka Paleah) and nephew to Kirinyaga Women Rep. Hon. Purity Kuria.
Robin was among the young street-racing enthusiasts, who perished in a grisly accident during their annual Easter weekend event in Tanzania.
To his uncle Evanson and cousins Joy and Jacqulyne, poleni sana…
Peace be with the family.”
Ngirici is considered to be a close ally of both Ruto and President Uhuru Kenyatta. In fact, the chopper she used in the 2017 campaigns was leased from the President.
Born in 1978, she is married businessman Andrew Ngirici, who is said to have ties with the family of former spymaster the late Joseph Kanyotu, and the two are blessed with three children.
The family has interests in real estate, mining, farming and infrastructure. She also runs several charity programmes in Kirinyaga aimed at uplifting the living standards of women and young people.