n a tragic incident that has shaken the Ruaka community, residents of Kiambu County set fire to a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser 300, valued at Sh20 million, after it was involved in a fatal accident that claimed the lives of two pedestrians on the Ruaka-Ndenderu Road.
The accident occurred on Monday evening when the luxury SUV struck the pedestrians, leading to their immediate deaths. Witnesses described a harrowing scene as the local community, overwhelmed by grief and anger, reacted swiftly.
Within moments of the crash, residents surrounded the vehicle, expressing their outrage by setting it ablaze. In just minutes, the car was engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke filling the air.
Locals have long raised concerns about the dangerous conditions on the Ruaka-Ndenderu Road, citing frequent accidents and the lack of proper safety measures for pedestrians.
“The stretch from Ndenderu to Ruaka is a death trap. There’s no pedestrian crossing. Last week, two women were knocked down in Ruaka, and the week before, four people died on the same road. Tonight, two more— a couple— have lost their lives,” said Tony, an advocacy journalist.
The tragedy has reignited calls for urgent action to improve road safety in the area. Ian Gitobu, a local resident, emphasized the need for better infrastructure: “The Ruaka-Ndenderu road needs flyovers. People are tired of losing lives due to poor planning. Another life lost, another car destroyed.”
In recent months, demands for pedestrian crossings, speed bumps, and stricter traffic enforcement on the Ruaka-Ndenderu stretch have grown louder, but little action has been taken to address these critical concerns.
