Tragedy as ex-Radio Africa journalist is killed after boda boda crash in Nairobi

A 24-year-old former Radio Africa journalist Rose Mbugua was killed in a road accident involving an electric motorcycle and a concrete mixer along Uhuru Highway in Nairobi on Friday evening.

The accident occurred at about 5.30 p.m. near the University Way roundabout, police said.

According to investigators, the crash involved a Foton concrete mixer and an Uber electric motorcycle that were both travelling from the Westlands direction towards the Nairobi Central Business District.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the motorcycle rider reportedly hit a pavement, lost control and crashed into the left side of the concrete mixer.

The impact threw the pillion passenger, identified as 24-year-old Rose Mbugua, off the motorcycle.

She sustained severe head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. She did not have a helmet on.

Police officers visited and documented the scene before the body was moved to Nairobi Funeral Home (City Mortuary) pending a post-mortem examination.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash are ongoing. The victim is said to have headed for an event in the city.

There are calls on riders to provide helmets to pillion passengers. The death has shocked the media fraternity.

The accident adds to the growing number of fatal road crashes reported across the country, with police expressing concern over the rising number of motorcycle-related accidents.

Police said at least 13 people were killed in separate road accidents across the country on Friday night alone.

The victims included five motorcycle riders, two pedestrians, five passengers and one pillion passenger, while more than 20 others sustained serious injuries.

Authorities said investigations into all the crashes are ongoing as they renewed calls for motorists and motorcycle riders to exercise greater caution on the roads. Officials say reckless overtaking, speeding, and drunk driving remain among the leading causes of road accidents across the country, continuing to claim lives despite sustained public safety campaigns by National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

Mechanical failures from poorly maintained vehicles, including worn tyres and faulty brakes, have also been identified as significant contributors to the growing number of crashes. In addition to driver negligence, poor road conditions such as potholes, confusing signage, and inadequate lighting make travel increasingly hazardous.