Three police officers died following a tragic road accident along the Matuu–Mwingi highway in Kitui County.
Another officer and a civilian who were onboard a police car when the accident happened were injured and admitted in hospital, police said.
The accident occurred at about 2:00 p.m. on Sunday at Mwatungo area and involved a Ford Ranger belonging to Nguutani Police Station.
The vehicle was being driven by Police Constable Peter Maina and had four other occupants on board.
According to preliminary reports, the officers were returning from Kanyonyo where they had gone to effect an arrest. However, the suspect was not found.
On their way back, the vehicle reportedly developed a mechanical problem after the front left wheel locked, causing the driver to lose control.
The vehicle veered off the road to the right before rolling several times.
Police Constable Peter Maina died on the spot while constables Nicholas Chemase and Kibet Tanui succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment at Kithyoko Level Three Hospital, police said.
Constable James Karanja and the civilian, Joseph Nzumbi, are currently receiving treatment at the same facility and are reported to be recuperating.
Police officers visited the scene and moved the bodies to Mbaku Mortuary, where they are awaiting postmortem examination. The wreckage has since been towed to the station for inspection as investigations into the accident continue.
Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough mechanical assessment of the vehicle to establish the exact cause of the crash.
This is the fatal accident on the Kenyan roads amid a campaign to address the menace.
More than 300 people were killed in accidents in the country in the past month alone.
The accidents also left dozens with serious injuries. 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.
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