Waiguru warns speeding miraa drivers endangering lives in Kirinyaga

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has sounded the alarm over the increasing number of fatal accidents linked to speeding miraa vehicles in the county.

Speaking on Friday, August 22, 2025, during the Jukwaa la Usalama forum in Kirinyaga, Waiguru claimed that at least 25 people have lost their lives in road accidents involving miraa transport vehicles in recent months.

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She urged authorities to take decisive measures to address reckless driving associated with the trade.

The governor expressed concern that miraa transporters, often in a rush to deliver their perishable product to distant markets, were flouting traffic rules and endangering the lives of residents.

“Our people are dying on our roads because of reckless miraa vehicles. In just a short period, 25 lives have been lost, and if we do not act now, the numbers will keep rising,” Waiguru claimed.

She noted that many of the vehicles involved in the accidents were overloaded, poorly maintained, and driven at breakneck speeds, especially during the night.

The situation, she warned, was not only causing deaths but also leaving many residents with lifelong injuries.

Call for stricter enforcement

Waiguru urged the National Police Service, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), and county enforcement officers to mount stricter checks on miraa vehicles passing through Kirinyaga.

She also appealed to transporters and traders to prioritise safety over profits, stressing that no economic gain was worth the loss of human life.

“We need stricter enforcement on our highways and more responsibility from miraa operators. This is about saving lives, not punishing business,” she added.

The governor pledged her administration’s support in working with national government agencies to enforce traffic laws, improve road safety awareness, and enhance emergency response services in the county.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who was also present during the event, backed her concerns and reiterated the government’s commitment to a crackdown on reckless miraa drivers.

The plea comes as recent months have seen a worrying increase in fatal road accidents across the country, raising concerns among motorists, families, and road safety experts alike. The fatalities have sparked widespread public outrage, with many calling for urgent and effective measures to curb the trend.