A 41-year-old mobile phone technician died on the spot on July 13 after the motorcycle he was riding collided head-on with a liquor truck in Kaha-ini village, Maragua Constituency, Murang'a County.
According to police and independent sources, Anthony Njoroge had spent the day drinking with two male friends at bars in Maragua and Kaharati towns.
Police and witnesses said the three men were riding home at about 8pm on the Kaharati-Kamahuha road when their motorcycle collided with the oncoming truck.
According to the Murang'a County Security and Intelligence Committee traffic report, the crash involved a motorcycle carrying three people and a liquor transport truck with three occupants.
The scene where Anthony Njoroge died on the spot on July 13 in Murang'a County after the motorbike he was riding hit a liquor transport truck head-on.
Photo credit: Mwangi Muiruri| Natiopn Media Group
Murang'a Police Commander Cleti Kimaiyo said preliminary investigations point to possible drunk driving by both the motorcycle rider and the truck driver.
"We are investigating claims that both the motorcycle rider and the truck driver were intoxicated. That is our preliminary assessment based on scene analysis, eyewitness accounts and reconstruction of the victims' final movements," he said.
Susan Kibandi, 53, who witnessed the crash, said it occurred near her home as she was returning after escorting a visitor.
"You know how these village roads are. A pedestrian has to move to the very edge whenever two vehicles approach from opposite directions because the roads are narrow," she said.
"The motorcycle was carrying three people, and they were very noisy. They shouted excitedly when they saw the truck. I saw the rider waving at the truck driver with both hands. The truck driver responded by sounding the horn, either in acknowledgement or as a warning," she said.
"I became apprehensive when I saw the motorcycle veer towards the oncoming truck. I screamed just before the two collided," she said.
"The rider landed on the tarmac with a loud thud that made me cover my ears and shut my eyes. When I looked again, he was lying in the middle of the road, with blood flowing across the tarmac," she said.
Mr Kimaiyo said Njoroge's body was taken to the Murang'a Level Five Hospital mortuary, while the two pillion passengers were rushed to hospital in critical condition.
Anthony Njoroge died on the spot on July 13 in Murang'a County after the motorbike he was riding hit a liquor transport truck head-on.
Photo credit: Pool
"We have recorded statements from the three occupants of the truck, none of whom was injured. We will also interview the two survivors once their condition improves before establishing the exact cause of the accident," he said.
The deceased's father, Harrison Muiruri of Rurii village, said the family learnt of the tragedy from neighbours.
"We are devastated, but we accept God's will. We will now begin burial arrangements for my son, who leaves behind a widow and three children. It is painful, but we pray God gives us the strength to bear the loss," he said.
