A fatal road accident in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, has exposed a human smuggling operation involving Ethiopian nationals.

The collision, which claimed the lives of two individuals, led to the arrest of eight Ethiopian immigrants and their Kenyan driver at a nearby hospital.

The group, comprising eight young Ethiopians between the ages of 16 and 20, were being transported in a Toyota Probox along the Sagana-Makutano highway in the Riandira area.

As they collided with a motorcycle, the impact proved devastating, resulting in the immediate deaths of the motorcycle rider and his passenger.

The driver of the Probox managed to flee the scene, leaving the injured victims behind. The victims were discovered by a good Samaritan, who had rushed them to White House Hospital for medical attention. The eight Ethiopians, unable to communicate in the national languages, immediately raised suspicions about their immigration status.

Upon arriving at the hospital, police officers confirmed the victims’ involvement in the tragic accident. While the Kenyan suffered severe injuries, the eight Ethiopians sustained relatively minor wounds. After receiving initial treatment, they were transferred to Kerugoya General Hospital for further care and observation.

The eight Ethiopian nationals now face charges for illegal entry into the country and will be repatriated to their homeland following the necessary legal proceedings.

This incident highlights the ongoing human smuggling crisis, with countless Ethiopians being trafficked through the Moyale border in pursuit of a better life in South Africa and the Middle East.