A traffic police officer tragically lost his life after being struck by a speeding vehicle while he and his team were addressing a stalled Tuktuk on the Thika Highway in Thika, Kiambu County.
Corporal James Mutunga was a member of the Northern Corridor Transit Patrol Unit (NCTPU) within the traffic department.
The NCTPU collaborates with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to oversee traffic management on the country’s major highways.
According to his colleagues, Mutunga was working alongside officials from KeNHA when they stopped to assist with the stalled Tuktuk, at which point a fast-moving car collided with them.
The officers routinely patrol the roads to ensure efficient traffic flow and address various issues, including the vandalism of road signs.
The vehicle, traveling from Kenol towards Thika, crashed into the Tuktuk and also struck three pedestrians before coming to a halt on the morning of Wednesday, January 1.
The collision resulted in severe head injuries for Officer Mutunga, who was immediately taken to Thika Level Four Hospital, where he was sadly pronounced dead upon arrival.
The Tuktuk driver sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving treatment at the same hospital.
The KeNHA officials involved suffered minor injuries and were treated before being discharged in stable condition.
The deceased officer’s body has been transferred to General Kago Funeral Home for an autopsy.
Both vehicles involved in the incident have been towed to the police station for further inspection.
The NCTPU’s mission includes combating cargo theft and addressing general crime along the Northern Corridor route.
The establishment of this unit was part of a broader initiative to enhance the efficiency of goods transportation, following government warnings against the ongoing theft of goods in transit, which led to the formation of a joint task force.
This unit has taken over from the Highway Patrol Unit (HPU), which was originally created for similar purposes but primarily focused on traffic management.
