A traffic police officer was tragically killed by a speeding car while assisting in clearing a stalled Tuktuk on the Thika Highway in Thika.
Corporal James Mutunga, a member of the Northern Corridor Transit Patrol Unit (NCTPU) under the traffic department, was working with Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) officials at the time. The NCTPU collaborates with KeNHA to manage traffic flow and address various issues on major highways.
According to his colleagues, Mutunga and other KeNHA officials had stopped to assist with the stalled Tuktuk when a speeding car traveling from Kenol toward Thika struck them. The car also hit three pedestrians before stalling during the incident on the morning of Wednesday, January 1.
The impact caused severe head injuries to Mutunga, who was rushed to Thika Level Four Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. The Tuktuk driver sustained serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at the same hospital, while the KeNHA officials suffered minor injuries and were treated and discharged in stable condition.
The officer’s body was taken to General Kago Funeral Home for an autopsy, and both vehicles involved were towed for inspection.
The NCTPU, which replaced the Highway Patrol Unit (HPU), was established to combat cargo theft and general crime along the Northern Corridor. Its creation aimed to ensure faster and safer transit of goods by addressing theft and other criminal activities.
