Two people have been hospitalized in Kiambu after a lorry driver lost control due to brake failure and rammed into a private car at the Kirigiti stage junction on Wednesday morning.
According to eyewitnesses, the lorry was descending from Kiambu town when it failed to stop at the busy junction, hitting a private car that had stopped to give way.
The shocked driver of the private car, a middle-aged woman, escaped with no serious injuries but was rushed to Kiambu Referral Hospital for medical attention. The lorry driver was also admitted for observation.
One of the residents, Samuel Karanja, who witnessed the accident, described the tense moment. “The lorry driver just lost the truck due to brake failure and bumped into the private car that was waiting at the junction. Luckily, no one was killed,” said Karanja.
The incident drew concern from nearby traders and pedestrians, many of whom called for stringent safety measures at the Kirigiti stage junction, which experiences heavy traffic between Kiambu town and surrounding estates.
Confirming the accident, Kiambu County traffic enforcement officer Martha Gitau urged drivers to remain vigilant to avoid such mishaps. She said most accidents in Kiambu town are not fatal but stressed the need for alertness among drivers.
“Many of these accidents are not intentional. What we do is continue sensitizing drivers to be more careful while driving so as to prevent such occurrences,” Martha Gitau said.
Gitau added that institutions are also contributing to road safety efforts. She cited Kiambu Polytechnic College, which is currently planning to build a pedestrian pathway to protect students who walk daily between the school and Kirigiti stage.
The accident has renewed calls from residents for urgent interventions, including the installation of more speed bumps, traffic signals, and routine checks on heavy vehicles using the busy route. With Kiambu town’s population and vehicle numbers steadily increasing, locals say authorities must act before minor accidents escalate into major tragedies.
Although both drivers involved in the accident were fortunate to escape serious harm, the incident serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by mechanical failures and the importance of regular vehicle maintenance.
By Agnes Karisa and Cynthia Kituku
