One killed at Muthiga, Kiambu after truck flies off highway

A truck lies on its side following an accident on September 30, 2014 at Muthiga in Kiambu. One man was killed after he was hit by the truck. PHOTO | ANNE MACHARIA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Residents flocked the scene following the accident which claimed the life of 31-year-old Wilson Njuguna.
  • Mr Njuguna, who worked as a loader for a Thika based bread company died on the spot.
  • The truck also brought down power lines, which remained entangled to it as it fell on its side.
  • Residents said it is common for motorists, especially truck drivers, to over speed on the highway.

A man was Monday evening killed in a road accident at Muthiga in Kiambu County after a truck literally flew off the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.

Hundreds of residents flocked the scene following the accident which claimed the life of 31-year-old Wilson Njuguna.

Mr Njuguna, who worked as a loader for a Thika based bread company died on the spot while he was loading some crates into the company lorry when the 22 wheeler truck hit him.

The driver of the bread company lorry Joseph Chege described the deceased loader as a hardworking, quiet man.

"I just heard my lorry shake as the truck passed by at a high speed and I did not even know that Njuguna had been hit. I thought he was collecting the bread crates only to later realise that he was dead” said Mr Chege.

They were headed to Thika after delivering bread to clients when the accident happened.

The 22-wheeler truck flew off the highway just next to the pedestrian opening along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway at Muthiga, Kiambu killing one man.

BROUGHT DOWN POWER LINES

The truck also brought down power lines, which remained entangled to it as it fell on its side. The Kenya Power company was asked to quickly switch off power in the area to avoid another accident.

Dagoretti OCPD Rashid Mohammed and Base Commander Wesley Kimetto were at the scene of the accident, and helped in keeping off onlookers since the truck had spilled its cargo and fuel.

Dagoretti OCPD Rashid Mohammed at the scene of the 3pm accident in which one person was hit an killed by a truck.

The police officers said they suspected the truck’s brakes failed, but added that investigations on what led to the accident would be carried out.

They said the driver of the truck, who was injured in the accident, would be questioned.

HOUSES DESTROYED

Some of the rental houses which were destroyed following the accident at Muthiga, Kiambu.

Fabian Kirogo, 33, said he had just finished showering when the truck hit his house and four others demolishing them and destroying property worth thousands of shillings.

Another unidentified man was injured on the hand as he was digging a trench next to the road.

He said he had tried to run away from the wayward truck but it still hit him.

Motorists using the highway have been warned against speeding especially as they approach Mithiga where the road is steep.

Residents said it is common for motorists, especially truck drivers, to over speed on the highway which posed danger to other read users.

Tenants salvage property after their houses were destroyed by the 22-wheeler truck at Muthiga on September 30, 2014.