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A tragic accident involving President William Ruto’s motorcade claimed the life of a British national on Thursday afternoon, March 13, 2025, along Ngong Road near Adams Arcade.
The victim, identified as 79-year-old Edgar Charles Frederick, was reportedly crossing the busy road when he was struck by a speeding government vehicle within the presidential convoy. Witnesses at the scene suggested that Frederick, who allegedly had hearing difficulties, failed to respond to warnings from a traffic officer clearing the way for the high-speed convoy.
At the time of the accident, President Ruto was en route from Lang’ata to Kibra for a public engagement aimed at solidifying his political alliance with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The event, held at Kibra DC Grounds, was part of a series of meetings focusing on development projects in Nairobi. He was accompanied by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and several opposition lawmakers.
Following the fatal incident, the National Police Service (NPS) launched an investigation and impounded the government vehicle involved, towing it to Kilimani Police Station for forensic examination. On Friday, authorities confirmed that they had arrested the driver of the vehicle that hit Frederick. However, the driver, whose identity was not disclosed, was released on cash bail pending further legal proceedings.
Frederick’s body was initially moved to the City Mortuary before being transferred to Lee Funeral Home in preparation for an autopsy.
The accident has reignited discussions on the safety of both pedestrians and high-speed VIP convoys on Nairobi’s roads. Concerns have previously been raised about the risks posed by official motorcades, which often travel at high speeds with little regard for pedestrian safety.
In response to the incident, the NPS urged all road users to exercise caution and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent similar tragedies.
“The National Police Service urges motorists, pedestrians, and all other road users to exercise extreme caution and adhere to traffic rules to prevent accidents,” read part of a statement issued by the police.
As investigations continue, questions remain about whether greater safety measures should be enforced for VIP convoys, particularly in densely populated urban areas
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