Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has directed the Central Region traffic commander to take strict action against speeding miraa drivers along the Embu–Nairobi highway. Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen called out Miraa drivers over the increased number of road accidents. Photo: Kipchumba Murkomen. Source: Facebook The directive follows a series of tragic accidents that have drawn public outrage and concern from local authorities. Speaking in Kirinyaga during the Jukwaa la Usalama county tour, Murkomen said Regional Traffic Commander Elizabeth Vivi has been empowered to enforce all necessary laws to curb the menace.
. “I have given the regional traffic commander the mandate to do anything under the law to deal with this issue, especially accidents caused by miraa drivers,” Murkomen stated. The CS also disclosed that efforts to engage vehicle owners and transporters through a scheduled meeting during his Eastern region tour failed after stakeholders did not attend. “They have refused to attend the meeting. So now, we will intensify enforcement until they are compelled to come to the table,” he said. He also urged the politicians to stop prioritising profits over human lives and to rethink their stance. “Let’s be honest, between miraa profits and a child being hit by a car, which one matters more? We cannot sacrifice people’s lives at the altar of profit,” Murkomen emphasised. This comes as Kirinyaga and Embu counties have consistently reported a high number of road accidents involving miraa vehicles, with children and pedestrians most affected.
William Ruto How many lives have been lost along Mwea-Embu highway Kirinyaga governor Ann Waiguru, who attended the event in Kerugoya, noted that over 21 lives have been lost in 2025 alone due to speeding vehicles along the Mwea–Embu Highway. “Our people are calling for stricter regulation of these vehicles, including possible rerouting and enhanced traffic enforcement to protect innocent road users,” she appealed. Waiguru also praised the Jukwaa la Usalama initiative as evidence of the government’s commitment to working with counties to secure communities and improve service delivery. Highlighting broader security concerns, she called for a united front against youth radicalisation, crime, and illicit brews, stressing rehabilitation and alternative livelihoods. “Security begins with the community itself. Strengthening grassroots structures builds trust and ensures quicker, more targeted responses by security agencies,” she said. He also advocates for technology-driven surveillance and digital reporting platforms to modernise security operations.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
