Death in traffic accident of the sub-county police commander of Limuru

The police sub-county commander of Limuru, Philip Mwania, tragically lost his life in a road accident that occurred in his home county of Kitui on Friday night. Kitui County Commander Leah Kithei confirmed the incident, stating that the fatal accident took place at Nzeeu River along the Kitui-Mutomo road around 11:30 pm. The collision was a head-on impact between Mwania’s car and a lorry, resulting in his immediate demise.

Leah Kithei reported that the lorry driver emerged unharmed from the crash. The exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined, prompting an ongoing investigation. It is presumed that the late police officer was en route to his rural home in the Nzambani sub-county, Kitui, for the weekend when the tragic incident occurred. Philip Mwania was alone in the vehicle.

The body of the deceased police officer has been transferred to the Kitui County referral hospital morgue for preservation. This unfortunate event adds to the rising number of fatal accidents in the country, exemplified by a recent collision between a bus and a fuel tanker in Busia that claimed two lives.

Concerns about road safety continue to grow, with a nationwide campaign underway to address the escalating menace. Statistics from the National Transport and Safety Authority indicate that road accidents have claimed 649 lives from January 1 to February 20, 2024, surpassing the 623 recorded during the same period in 2023.

Pedestrians account for the highest number of fatalities at 252, an increase from the 190 recorded in the previous year. Motorcyclists follow closely, recording 152 deaths, a slight decrease compared to the 177 in 2023. Passengers, drivers, and pillion passengers also contribute to the grim statistics. The NTSA has identified various causes of accidents, including losing control, untraced causes, and lane indiscipline. Efforts are ongoing to address these issues and enhance road safety nationwide.