A 36-year-old man has been arrested by police in Kirinyaga County on charges of setting a miraa vehicle ablaze following its involvement in a fatal accident on the Mwea-Embu Highway two weeks prior.
Mwea-East Sub-County Police Commander Mohammed Jarso stated that the suspect, Titus Wagatitu Kimani, was apprehended in Kasarani, Nairobi.
On January 27, 2025, a pick-up truck transporting miraa (khat) hit and killed a boda boda rider in an incident. In the wake of the accident, furious locals ignited the vehicle. After a thorough search, Kimani was captured and taken to Wang’uru Police Station.
The 46-year-old victim, Geoffrey Kinyua Nyaga, operated a boda boda and hailed from Kimbimbi Village in Nyangati Ward. The miraa vehicle’s driver, although he narrowly avoided injury, was assaulted by locals from Kianjiru and nearby regions.
After the arrest, Simon Kimani, father of Kimani, spoke out in defense of his son, asserting that Titus was not involved in the incident.
Simon reported that Titus, while heading home to Kagio Town from the South-Ngariama ranch, came across a burning pick-up truck at Kianjiru.
Simon further clarified that Titus was not hiding in Kasarani, contrary to previous beliefs. He had gone to see his sister. He added, “We are still in shock.
The accident has ignited persistent worries regarding rogue miraa vehicles in the vicinity. The MCA for Tebere Ward, Peter Karinga, has been at the forefront of initiatives to ensure traffic regulations are followed by miraa drivers.
Residents were cautioned by Mwea-East Sub-County Police Commander Mohammed Jarso about the dangers of vigilante justice. He stressed that the suspect would be charged with malicious damage, and called on miraa drivers to follow traffic regulations in order to prevent additional incidents.
