Four people have been confirmed dead and 16 others seriously injured following a road accident along the Meru-Nairobi Highway after a lorry reportedly developed brake failure and rammed into several vehicles near Rubin Petrol Station in Riverland, Meru town.
Speaking during a press briefing at Meru Police Station, Imenti North Sub-County Police Commander Hassan Bashir said the accident occurred on Thursday night at around 9pm when the lorry, travelling from Makutano towards Nkubu, developed mechanical problems.
Bashir explained that the driver lost control of the vehicle near the Meru county library after its brakes reportedly failed while descending the steep section of the highway, resulting in multiple collisions.
“In the process, we had several injuries, including 16 people who were injured, and we lost four others who succumbed to their injuries,” Bashir said.
The police commander said the runaway lorry collided with three other vehicles, leaving several people injured.
He confirmed that the deceased included three men and one woman, adding that the casualties were rushed to Meru Level Five Hospital by police officers assisted by Kenya Red Cross personnel.
Bashir noted that the four victims succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment at the hospital.
He also cautioned members of the public against spreading unverified information on social media, warning that misleading reports were causing unnecessary anxiety among residents and affected families.
Imenti North MP Rahim Dawood expressed condolences to the bereaved families, saying he had contacted the hospital management to establish the condition of those receiving treatment.
“We have spoken with the hospital CEO, Dr Murithi, and I am informed that 11 patients have been admitted, while others with minor injuries have been treated and discharged,” Dawood said.
The legislator raised concerns over recurring accidents along the stretch, particularly involving heavy commercial vehicles experiencing mechanical failures while descending towards Riverland.
He said he has engaged an engineer from the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to explore possible interventions aimed at improving safety along the busy highway.
According to Dawood, proposals to install speed bumps have previously been rejected by the engineer over concerns that they could create additional problems for motorists.
“There have been suggestions to install speed bumps, but the engineer has rejected them, saying they would create more problems,” Dawood said.
He said KeNHA engineers are expected to visit the area next week to assess the road and recommend appropriate safety measures.
Dawood also called for consultations between relevant authorities and the county government to identify alternative trading spaces for businesspeople operating dangerously close to the highway.
He acknowledged that relocating traders requires careful consideration because many depended on roadside businesses for their livelihoods.
Meanwhile, the Meru County Government announced immediate measures to remove traders and boda boda operators from Riverland following the fatal accident.
Meru Municipality Manager Gitobu Nkanata said authorities have repeatedly warned traders against operating along the dangerous section but their appeals had gone unheeded.
He said enforcement officers had been instructed to ensure that roadside businesses and motorcycle operators vacated the area to prevent further tragedies.
“Today, the enforcement officers and commanders have been briefed that no boda boda rider or trader will be allowed to operate in Riverland. Everyone must move out of that area,” Nkanata said.
The municipal manager maintained that the county government will take action against those who failed to comply with the relocation directive, citing the need to protect lives along the highway.
