Car hits, kills a police recruit in Kiganjo, Nyeri County

A police recruit was killed on Friday after a speeding vehicle struck a group of recruits who were on a morning jog along Marua–Chaka Road in Kiganjo, Nyeri County.

Police said the driver also injured 24 other recruits in the incident, which occurred on January 23, 2026.

The driver, who was reportedly in a Toyota Fielder, allegedly failed to stop when directed by officers before ramming into the group, police said.

The recruits were running on the left side of the road, heading from Chaka towards their training college in Kiganjo when the vehicle hit them.

The deceased recruit, aged 20, was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital, police said. The injured recruits were taken to a local hospital with multiple injuries.

The driver was detained as the body was moved to the mortuary, pending an autopsy and inspection of the vehicle.

Police said investigations into the incident are ongoing.

The recruit was among five people who were killed in separate road accidents overnight, police added. The victims included three pedestrians, a passenger and a rider.

The number of fatalities from road accidents this month has risen to nearly 300, police said. More than 600 people have been reported injured in crashes so far, and many are receiving treatment at various health facilities.

Kenya is currently running a campaign to address the high number of road accidents. Officials said close to 5,000 people died in separate accidents in 2025.

Authorities have identified reckless overtaking, speeding and drunk driving as leading causes of road accidents, despite sustained public safety campaigns by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

They also cited mechanical failures from poorly maintained vehicles, including worn tyres and faulty brakes, as significant contributors.

Officials said poor road conditions, such as potholes, confusing signage and inadequate lighting, also increase the risk of crashes.