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Accolades for driver killed in Catholic team accident

Accolades for driver killed in Catholic team accident
Catholic clergy pray for the departed souls of six accident victims at Gaitega Primary School grounds in Murang’a. The deceased included five members of the Murang’a Catholic Women’s Association and a matatu driver. PHOTO/Oliver Musembi
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The driver of a matatu that was involved in an accident which killed him along with five passengers, got rare accolades during a burial ceremony six in Murang’a on Tuesday.

Francis Manyeki, 54, who was driving the ill-fated vehicle operated by MTN Matatu Sacco before the accident won the admiration of colleagues, the clergy and road safety officials over his honesty and dedication to work.

He was particularly remembered for one-time returning Sh2 million to a passenger who had left the money in his matatu unintentionally.

The driver died along with five members of the Murang’a Catholic Woman Association (CWA) when the vehicle they were traveling in from the Subukia Shrine was rammed by a trailer at Mahiga Meru along the Nyahururu – Nyeri Road, killing four on the spot while two others succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment in hospital.

Rare individual

Nyeri Catholic Bishop Anthony Muheria who presided over the burial service at Gaitega Primary School grounds in Kiharu constituency, termed Manyeki as a rare individual whom he said had “booked a ticket to heaven for being honest and forthright.”

He termed as a rare case of honesty and an admirable feat, Manyeki’s gesture of returning such a large amount of money a customer who had forgotten it in the vehicle.

Speakers during the emotional burial service attended by thousands of residents led by Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata and other local leaders, said the road deaths could be avoided if motorists adhere to the traffic regulations.

Road Safety Association of Kenya Chairman David Kiarie said the government should declare road carnage as a national disaster while accusing Road and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and some officials in the relevant departments of sleeping on the job.

“President William Ruto should remove Murkomen from the Roads docket and appoint a more competent person since he is doing nothing to check the madness which is claiming lives of Kenyans,” Kiarie fumed.

The official noted that since vehicle inspection was moved from the traffic police department and taken to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), there has been a surge in fatal accidents. He said the inspection of vehicles should revert to the police.

Government blamed

Kiarie reiterated his earlier claim that greedy government officials were to blame for the killer accidents which he said were mainly caused by vehicles which do not undergo inspection after their owners allegedly part with bribes.

He similarly termed Manyeki as an unsung hero who needs to be emulated by his peers in the industry. Gitonga concurred and maintained that most of the fatal accidents were caused by trailers which had mechanical problems.

Bishop Rev Joseph Mwongela of the Kitui Catholic Diocese said Kenyans must obey traffic rules and avoid causing accidents which could otherwise be avoided.

An official of the MTN Matatu Sacco Bedan Njuguna said their deceased member was one of the best and most trusted drivers.

The 14-seater matatu was hit by a trailer at Mahiga Meru along the Nyahururu – Nyeri road in Nanyuki County, killing four on the spot while two others succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment in hospital.

The deceased were identified as Jacinta Nyarua (67), Jane Njeri (52), Mercy Waithera (45), Veronica Wambui (47), Jane Wanjiku Gitau (61) and the driver, Manyeki (54).

Three survivors were rushed to Nyahururu County and Referral Hospital where they were treated, two of them were discharged while another was admitted nursing head injuries, whereas, the bodies of four who perished on the spot were taken to the Nyahururu County Hospital Mortuary. Others who were rescued were taken to different hospitals in Nyeri County.

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