Two pastors die in Kirinyaga as car hits motorbike

Two pastors have perished in a grisly crash along the Karatina-Makutano road in Kirinyaga County.

The New Apostolic Church pastors identified as Peter Mureithi, 45, and Josphat Gakono, 43, died on the spot during the Sunday evening accident at Kiangwachi market in Ndia Constituency.

They were returning home in the evening after Sunday service in Baricho when the tragedy which left worshipers in mourning struck.

Witnesses said the pastors, who were riding on a motorcycle, were going downhill when a car which was heading towards Sagana from Nyeri hit them.

The driver was overtaking another vehicle when his car collided head-on with the motorcycle, killing the church leaders instantly.

“The pastors were dragged for about 200 metres by the car and they could not survive," one of the witnesses, Peterson Kariuki, explained.

Loud bang

Another witness, Jane Wanjugu, said she heard a loud bang while at home and rushed to the scene where she found the two pastors already dead.

"I almost fainted when I saw the pastors lying in pools of blood," Ms Wanjugu said in tears.

The worshipers described their pastors as good shepherds who served them with dedication, adding that they learnt of their sudden deaths with great shock.

"At first we could not believe that our pastors had died until we saw their lifeless bodies lying on the road," one of the worshipers said.

The residents complained that several people have lost their lives on the same route and called on the police to enforce traffic rules.

"Hardly a week passes without hearing that a person has been hit and killed. The situation is serious and something urgent should be done to save the lives of our people," a resident, John Muriuki, said.

Car driver held

Following the accident, police drove to the scene and took the bodies of the victims to Karatina Hospital mortuary while the car that hit them was towed to Sagana Police Station and detained to await inspection.

The driver was also held at the same police station for interrogation.

Kirinyaga West Police Commander Joseph Mwika said it was unfortunate that the pastors had lost their lives and told motorists to be careful when plying local routes to avoid such fatal incidents.

Mr Mwika said the driver was arrested immediately after accident and he would be charged with causing death by careless driving.

"We are holding the driver of the car and he will definitely face the law," said Mr Mwika.

In Mururiini village where the pastors hailed from, residents and relatives were trying to come to terms with the sudden loss of their loved ones.