An act of heroism costs a 12-year-old boy his life while trying to protect his 9-year-old sister, from a speeding matatu that had veered off the road along the Thika-Embu Road.
According to witnesses, the young boy was walking home with his sister’s left hand in the company of four other school-aged children when the matatu sped towards them.
Sensing danger, the boy stepped in front of his sister and attempted to push her away in order to keep her from being hit.
During the incident, witnesses reported that the other children were shouting and screaming to warn the children to get away from the matatu and to get the driver’s attention.
Unfortunately, the driver of the matatu rammed into the two children, killing them instantly.
“According to what the eyewitnesses recalled, my son is described to be a hero seeking to save his sister. It is a big loss to me and my wife who is yet to come to terms with their death,” the heartbroken father remarked.
The father also revealed that their eldest child also passed away after being involved in a separate accident.
According to the witnesses, the matatu driver had just dropped off mourners and was in a hurry to get to the pick-up stage in Thika town
On the issue, Gatanga Police Commander Lawrence Njeru noted that the driver of the matatu had been arrested but released on cash bail. He added that after the traffic police report, the police intends to re-arrest the driver.
Motorists on the road are urged to exercise caution to avoid increasing incidents of casualties from road accidents.
According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), some of the leading causes of road accidents are reckless drivers losing control, overtaking improperly, failing to adhere to the traffic lane and excessive speed among others.
