Residents of Ngundune, Meru County have called on the police to rein in speeding miraa vehicle drivers, saying they were responsible for tens of fatal road accidents in the area.

Led by Meru County majority leader Victor Karithi, the residents said the majority of the drivers were reckless and not mindful of other road users.

Addressing mourners in Mbuuri village, during the burial of Mr Jackson Kobia, who was knocked down by a miraa pick-up, Mr Karithi said those ferrying miraa should be subjected to traffic rules like other motorists.

He complained that many accidents were being experienced due to the speed the vehicles were being driven in, with some drivers breaking the law.

Important cash crop

Miraa is the most important cash crop in the area, and other motorists usually move out of the way to allow the perishable stimulant to be transported at breakneck speed.

Former Eastern regional police commandant Moses Ombati had two years ago promised to erect speed guns at strategic points along the Embu-Nairobi road, to nab speeding miraa drivers due to numerous accidents.

Mr Karithi said four people had been involved in accidents involving miraa vehicles within the Tigania West area in the past two weeks, where two have succumbed.

“Miraa is something but miraa is everything. This kind of recklessness we are witnessing on our roads is not good. If we were to count the people who have been killed by miraa vehicles, they are very many. I appeal to the traffic police and the county commissioner to help ensure the law is followed,” he said.

Mourners eulogised Mr Kobia as a dedicated community leader who united his people.

He is survived by a widow and six children.

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