Former Mwingi Central Member of Parliament Joe Mutambu was involved in a grisly road accident at Kavenge along Thika-Mwingi highway on Sunday night, December 5.
According to media reports, his driver died on the spot. Mutambu and three other passengers, however, survived with unknown degree of injuries and are receiving treatment.
Reports further indicated that Mutambu had just left Enziu river accident scene where an unknown number of people perished after a bus belonging to St Joseph's Seminary Mwingi plunged into the river.
The lawmaker's vehicle is said to have rolled several times after colliding with a tractor. According to media reports, Mutambu was heading to Nairobi minutes after leaving the scene. The MP alongside the three other passengers were rushed to Matuu Level Four hospital for medical attention.
Efforts by Kenyans.co.ke to speak to Mutambu's family were futile. Further, OCPD Mwingi East Joseph Yakan noted that more details regarding the accident would be shared during the course of the day.
Mutambu had visited the accident scene on Sunday alongside Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu and other leaders to offer their sympathies to families that lost their loved ones.
Politicians from the region have been on the receiving end due to the state of the bridge that has seen a number of people lose their lives on numerous occasions in the past.
In March 2018, five people lost their lives in the same River after they were swept away by flash floods after river banks unexpectedly broke due the heavy rains.
Two months later, a woman who was accompanied by her four friends for a burial in the area, also drowned in the River. The four were found buried 10 metres underneath the river bed after 22 days of relentless search.
Mwingi East sub county police boss Yakan had previously urged residents not to cross the river which is now considered the most dangerous in Kitui County.
"Do not cross the river when the water is above your knees, it could sweep you to your death," Yakan was quoted saying in 2019.
