Angry residents of Witeithie block Thika Road after lorry knocks and kills pedestrian

Residents of Witeithie estate in Juja, Kiambu County, on Monday morning blocked the busy Thika-Nairobi highway after a lorry knocked down and killed a pedestrian who was trying to cross the road.

Drivers heading to Nairobi had to look for alternative routes.

The angry residents lamented delays in setting up a footbridge at Witeithie.

Efforts to calm the angry mob failed even after Juja OCPD Patricia Nasio and other security officers tried to intervene.

At around midday, police were compelled to lob tear gas canisters to disperse surging crowds that had milled at the scene.

The unruly mob demanded that Kiambu Governor William Kabogo come out and clearly state when the elusive footbridge would constructed.

MP BLAMES MINISTER

Juja MP Francis Munyua Waititu blamed Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich for the delayed release of Sh10 million set aside for the footbridge, saying this is giving President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration a bad name.

Mr Waititu urged the residents to be patient until the government puts up the bridge.

Recently, the National Transport and Safety Authority gave traders at an open-air market 30 days to clear from the area to pave the way for highway activities, including the construction of the planned footbridge.

The angry residents had vowed to continue blocking the road until the President, who is on a tour of the central region, addresses their plight.

Many people have died trying to cross the busy highway.

The body of the man who died in the latest accident was taken to General Kago Funeral Home at Thika Level Five Hospital.