Corporal James Mutunga, part of the Northern Corridor Transit Patrol Unit (NCTPU) under the traffic department, tragically lost his life in a roadside accident. The NCTPU, in partnership with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), manages traffic on key highways and combats transit-related crimes.
Mutunga was assisting KeNHA officials with a stalled Tuktuk along the highway when a speeding vehicle, traveling from Kenol towards Thika, veered off course and collided with the Tuktuk. The impact knocked down three pedestrians, including Mutunga, on the morning of January 1.
Suffering severe head injuries, Mutunga was rushed to Thika Level Four Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The Tuktuk driver sustained critical injuries and is receiving treatment, while KeNHA officials suffered minor injuries, were treated, and later discharged in stable condition.
The incident highlights the risks faced by officers working to ensure smooth traffic flow and public safety. Mutunga’s body was transported to General Kago Funeral Home for an autopsy, and the vehicles involved were impounded for inspection.
The NCTPU, which replaced the Highway Patrol Unit, was established to address cargo theft and other crimes along the Northern Corridor, enhancing the efficiency of goods transportation in response to government directives.
In a separate incident on the Naivasha-Nairobi Highway near Murengeti, a motorcyclist lost his life after colliding with a lorry. Police reported that the lorry driver failed to maintain his lane, leading to the fatal crash. The rider succumbed to head injuries at the scene, and both the lorry and motorcycle were towed for inspection. The deceased’s body was taken to Uplands Mortuary for identification and a postmortem examination.
