Police have launched investigations after a speeding Miraa vehicle knocked down two children aged 7 and 12 years, killing them instantly at Ngurubani, along –Mwea-Embu highway on Tuesday November 26, 2024 at night.

According to the police report, the driver of the Miraa vehicle escaped from the scene immediately after the accident and police are still looking for him.

The incident was confirmed by Mwea-East sub-county police commander Mohammed Jarso, who noted that the accident occurred when a speeding miraa vehicle was heading towards Nairobi direction.

He added that the miraa vehicle was overtaking another vehicle on spikes erected by the county government of Kirinyaga to collect tax.

Mwea East sub-county police boss said one boy died on the spot while the second died in hospital.

“The driver of the miraa vehicle sped off after the accident and left the vehicle two kilometers away from the scene of the accident,” Jarso said.

Residents of Ngurubani decried the increased cases of accidents along the Mwea-Embu highway as Miraa drivers move with impunity, killing pedestrians and boda boda riders along the busy highway.

”Since I was born, drivers of miraa vehicles have been going against traffic rules. What’s wrong with them?” said David Mwangi, a resident.

At the same time Peter Murunguru, disclosed that the two victims of the accident hail from Kithogondo slum in Ngurubani town.

The 12 year old boy who is a pupil at Ngurubani primary school died on the spot while the 7 years old boy who is a pupil at Thiba primary died at Mwea Mission Hospital.

Meanwhile, the police boss advised miraa vehicle drivers against over-speeding along the busy highway, to avoid similar accidents in future.