Survivors of a horrific plunge into the Kiama River recounted their harrowing escape after a family vehicle lost control and claimed six lives on Saturday night, October 25, 2025.

The tragedy struck along the Chomo–Kahunyo road in Gatanga, Murang’a County, as the group returned from a dowry ceremony in Kiambu.

Patrick Kiarie, the driver, survived a harrowing accident that left him and other passengers in shock. The vehicle lost control midway, plunging into the river and putting everyone on board in immediate danger.

He recounted the terrifying moment: “Tukikuwa tukienda nusu ya njia ndipo gari likapoteza breki. Nilajaribu kushika gari, lakini likakataa kudhibitiwa. Nikasema kwa moyo wangu, ‘Mungu usikubali,’ ndipo hawa wote wakaanza kupiga nduru. Tulipofika hapo, nilijiskia kama nikiwa majini na kichwa cha gari kikiwa kimeingia kwenye maji.”

“Tulikua tumetoka huko Kiambu, na tulikua tumekaribia nyumnbani, dereva akasema gari imekosa break na akakosa kudhibiti hiyo gari tukatumbukia mtoni,” Julius Waruingi said.

The driver’s desperate announcement of brake failure sent panic through the passengers moments before the vehicle veered off the road. “Sote tulitumbukia majini, naomba serikali iangalie hiyo barabara hiyo daraja ni mbaya, haina mabati ya kando kando na isipodhibitiwa itacause accidents mingi sana,” Simon Kamau added. The absence of guardrails on Wacengu Bridge allowed the car to plummet unchecked into the dark waters below.

Narrow escape and rescue

Seven passengers survived the crash and were rushed to Murang’a Level 5 Hospital and Kirwara Level 4 Hospital for treatment of various injuries. Rescue teams retrieved the submerged vehicle early Sunday morning, October 26, 2025, recovering the bodies of six people, with five being family members who perished in the incident.

The tragedy struck a celebratory moment, leaving Gatanga in mourning. The victims had been returning from a traditional wedding in Kiambu when disaster struck mere kilometers from home. The sudden loss has cast a shadow over the community, transforming a joyful return into grief and shock.

Community grieves and leaders respond

Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu was among the first leaders to mourn the victims, describing the incident as a heartbreaking tragedy that had robbed the community of loved ones who had been celebrating joy just hours before their deaths.

“My heart is heavy this afternoon. We mourn with the people of Gatanga, Kariara Ward, following the tragic road accident at Wacengu Bridge (River Kiama) along Chomo Kihunyo Road that claimed six precious lives last night,” Nyutu said.

He revealed that the victims had been returning from a traditional wedding in Kiambu before the accident struck. “These were sons and daughters of our soil, people who had spent a joyful day celebrating love at a traditional wedding in Kiambu, only to meet their untimely death just a short distance from home,” he added.

Nyutu emphasised the need for communal support, urging Murang’a residents to unite in prayer for the affected families. “It is painful beyond words, and as a community, we stand in solidarity with the bereaved families. May God grant them strength, comfort, and peace that surpasses all understanding,” he stated. He further appealed to Kenyans to pray for road safety and the nation at large, saying, “Let us also continue to pray for the safety of all road users, and above all, keep our country and our nation, Kenya at large, in prayer.”