A dark cloud hangs over Arimi Location, where families are mourning the loss of nine crash victims, among them two students from Elburgon DEB Secondary School.
The students were among the 12 people who perished in a tragic road accident that occurred at the Arimi blackspot on the Elburgon–Njoro road on Thursday night.
Mr Charles Mwaura is mourning the death of his third-born son, a Form Three student at Elburgon DEB Secondary School, who died a day after he was sent home from school due to unpaid fees.
"My son was not in school on the fateful day because he was sent home on Wednesday after their teacher urged those with outstanding fees to clear the balances the following day. When he informed me in the evening, we agreed that I would pay the fees on Friday," said Mr Mwaura, adding that he became worried on Thursday evening when his son did not return home, something he had never done before.
Mr Mwaura said he went to the school on Friday to follow up since his son had never spent a night away from home. His son was not in school.
Relatives and friends of the late Tabitha Muthoni arrive at her home in Arimi Location in Molo on May 10, 2025.
Photo credit: John Njoroge | Nation
Tragically, the agreement they had made to return to school with a cleared fee balance on Friday did not happen, following the horrific accident that occurred on Thursday evening.
Speaking to the Nation at his home on Saturday morning, Mr Mwaura said that the night had been long and agonizing for his family until he identified the body at the Molo Sub-County Hospital mortuary on Friday.
He said the family had been devastated by the tragedy, especially since his son often helped his grandmother at home. He called on the government to redesign the road and erect signage to prevent future accidents.
Mr Benson Mburu Kamau, a survivor of a 2023 accident at the same spot, urged the government to find a permanent solution to upgrade and redesign the Elburgon–Arimi stretch, which has claimed many lives.
"Although I thank God to be alive, I developed chest and foot problems after the accident," said Mr Mburu.
Another family in the same village is still struggling to come to terms with the loss of a loved one.
Mr Henry Waweru, who lost his wife, Ms Jecintah Wambui Waweru, in the accident, said she had worked as a casual labourer at a nearby flower farm.
"My wife left early in the morning as usual, but before leaving, she told me she would be late in the evening because she and her colleagues planned to visit a friend in Elburgon town who had lost a relative. Around 7 pm, as I was coming from the Arimi trading centre, just a few metres from the blackspot, I came across a grisly road accident and began helping rescue survivors — unaware that my wife was among the victims," said Mr Waweru, who broke down in tears.
Friends of the late Jecintah Wambui Waweru who died in the May 8, 2025 road accident clear the ground on May 10, 2025 ahead of her funeral.
Photo credit: John Njoroge | Nation
During an interview at his home, Mr Waweru said he noticed some residents who knew him looking at him but ignored them as he continued helping.
"Later, when I met my neighbours, they told me my wife had died. I confirmed it the following day at the morgue," he said.
Mr Waweru said he lived happily with his wife, and her death is a huge loss to the family.
He blamed driver negligence and mismanagement by saccos, pointing out that the vehicle involved in the crash—a Nakuru Kiambogo Nissan Sacco matatu—was not supposed to be on that route. He believes the driver may not have been aware of the dangerous stretch.
Mr Waweru, a father of five, appealed to the government to assist families with burial preparations, especially those in the area hardest hit by the tragedy.
At Mr Peter Kamau's rental house near Arimi trading centre—just a few metres from the accident scene—mourning continued as a tent was erected to signify burial preparations.
Mr Kamau’s wife, Tabitha Muthoni, died in the Thursday night crash.
Holding his six-month-old child, Mr Kamau was too overwhelmed to speak and could only shake his head in disbelief.
The Elburgon-Arimi stretch in Nakuru County where 12 people died on May 8, 2025 in a road accident in this photo taken on May 10, 2025.
Photo credit: John Njoroge | Nation
According to the victim’s close friend, Lucy Wanjiru, Ms Muthoni left behind four children aged between six months and 13 years.
"This incident has left everyone shaken. We’ve never experienced such a tragedy in this area. We’re still confused about where to start; the entire village is in mourning," said Ms Wanjiru, calling on well-wishers to help affected families.
á called on the government to help with burial expenses as most of those affected were casual labourers.
Elburgon MCA Njuguna Mwaura said the county government will cover the cost of post-mortems for the nine victims and offer additional support as needed.
"The families requested post-mortem assistance as they hold their first planning meetings today. We are also organising a joint memorial service next week before each family proceeds with burial," said Mr Mwaura.
