A 65-year-old woman died after being hit by a pickup truck while walking to Rukanga Catholic Church in Kirinyaga County, in a crash that has left residents grieving and renewing calls for improved road safety along the corridor.
Beatrice Wanjiru Gakindu Karani was struck at around 11:35 a.m. near PAG Church in Rukanga village, along the Sagana Makutano road. She suffered severe injuries and died instantly at the scene, roughly 300 metres from her home. Her church headscarf was later found lying on the road beside her body — a sight that visibly distressed mourners who gathered at the location.
Residents described Karani as a devoted worshipper deeply cherished within the community, with many expressing disbelief at her sudden death. One resident, Mr Gikonyo, said she was highly respected within the local church fellowship, calling her death a devastating loss for those who knew her.
Community leaders, including Alex Ndambiri, noted that collisions along the busy dual carriageway have become worryingly frequent, reigniting concerns over safety along the corridor. Local leaders Pastor James Maina and Timothy Chomba urged drivers and other road users to exercise greater caution, describing the highway as increasingly dangerous. Another resident, Ngina, referred to the Sagana Makutano Embu Mwea highway as having effectively become a "killer road," calling for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations.
The crash occurred just days after Central Region Traffic Police Commander Elizabeth Vivi visited the area to educate motorists and residents on safe highway use — an effort that, in hindsight, came too late to prevent this latest tragedy.
Following the collision, Karani's body was taken to Kibugi Funeral Home pending an autopsy, while the Toyota Hilux involved was towed to a nearby police station for examination. Investigations into the circumstances of the crash remain ongoing, as residents continue pushing for urgent measures to improve safety along the highway.
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