A family in Kamandura, Kiambu County, is mourning the death of one of their twin sons following a tragic road accident along the Kamandura-Rironi Road, which is currently under construction as part of the Mau Summit Highway project.
The two schoolboys were walking home from school when they were struck by a road grader. Witnesses said the heavy machine is suspected to have suffered brake failure before veering off and hitting the children.
One of the twins died on the spot, while his brother sustained serious injuries. He was rushed to Kikuyu Hospital, where he is receiving treatment.
The incident has sparked outrage among local leaders and residents, who accused the road contractor of failing to implement adequate safety measures at the construction site.
They called for the immediate installation of warning signs, deployment of traffic marshals, and improved traffic management to safeguard motorists and pedestrians using the busy road during the ongoing construction works.
Police officers visited the scene and moved the body of the deceased to Tigoni Hospital Mortuary pending a post-mortem examination.
Investigations have been launched to establish the exact cause of the accident, including claims that the grader experienced brake failure before the fatal crash.
Meanwhile, a 30-year-old man from Muthigini Village in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, has died after he was allegedly attacked by villagers who mistook him for a thief.
The deceased, identified as Waweru Gachoki, popularly known as “Matiba”, reportedly went to his mother’s home at about 10 p.m. on Monday and knocked on her door.
According to police, his mother did not respond after hearing the knock because she did not hear anyone identify themselves.
Neighbours who heard the persistent knocking became suspicious and allegedly descended on the man, believing he was a thief or intended to harm the elderly woman.
Waweru sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Some residents, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed the deceased had been repeatedly knocking on his mother’s door that night.
Others alleged there had been previous reports of family disputes, prompting some villagers to intervene after the mother cried out for help.
Kirinyaga East Sub-County Police Commander Johnson Wachira said the woman later discovered her son lying outside her house, bleeding, and rushed him to hospital.
“The mother reported that after hearing the knock, she did not hear anyone speak.
She later found her son lying outside injured and took him to hospital, where he was pronounced dead,” Wachira said
Police have launched investigations and are pursuing those involved in the assault.
Wachira warned residents against taking the law into their own hands, saying those responsible would be arrested and charged with murder.
A relative of the deceased said Waweru and his elder brother had been living without their father, who died more than five years ago, adding that the deceased may simply have been seeking food or assistance from his mother.
A local pastor condemned the killing, urging residents to allow the justice system to handle suspected offenders.
“People can change, and taking someone’s life is never the answer.
Those responsible should face the full force of the law,” the pastor said.
Waweru’s body has been moved to Gakwegori Mortuary in Embu, where it awaits a post-mortem examination as investigations continue.
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