Tensions ran high in Embu on Sunday, July 6, after irate residents torched a vehicle that was involved in an accident hours earlier.
According to the reports, the Toyota Prado, believed to have been part of an entourage of Embu Woman Representative Njoki Njeru, left a bodaboda rider and his passenger with fatal injuries after a collision at Kapigazi Bridge.
The black Prado also lost control from the impact and flew into a nearby ditch. The fate of the occupants of the vehicle remains unknown at the time of publication of this article.
Amid rescue operations, angry residents descended on the vehicle at the accident scene, setting it ablaze.
Earlier reports linked the vehicle in question to the escort that accompanied President William Ruto to the 35th Diocesan Anniversary at St. Mark’s College, Kigari, Embu County. However, both the Office of the President and the State House have stated that the car is not a part of the specialised unit.
The accident, which occurred just a few meters from Gakwegori Market, caused a temporary traffic disruption along the busy Embu-Runyenjes Road, as boda boda riders continued to gather at the scene to witness the aftermath of the collision.
Images and videos seen by Kenyans.co.ke painted a worrying picture, as the motorcycle involved in the accident was completely mangled—an indication that the chances of its occupants' survival were always going to be low.
The Prado, meanwhile, was toppled on its side, suggesting that it rolled several times before landing in a ditch near a river, where it was eventually torched.
Incidentally, another minor accident occurred at the Kapingazi Gakwegori area on Sunday, just hours after the initial crash involving a Prado.
In a separate incident, three personal vehicles were left severely damaged after what appeared to be a collision, with the other vehicle a secondary casualty in the mayhem.
Confirming the incident, Embu Woman Representative Njoki Njeru revealed the car in question belonged to her team.
"I want to clarify that the accident that occurred today after the presidential function involved my car and another person's car. People are speculating that it was the president's car and I want to clarify that it is not the president's car."
She added, "I have actually reported and told the president personally that my car has been involved in an accident and I am safe so people should not worry about my whereabouts."
