Nithi Bridge Accident: Rongai Family Mourns Woman Killed Among 12, Says She Died With Baby

• Lucy Kiende, a neighbour of the late Njeri at Kware Market in Rongai, bitterly mourned her after learning she was among those who died in the Nithi Bridge accident
• According to Lucy, Njeri was upbeat as they prepared to leave their home for a parental blessing group event at Nkubu in Meru
• Njeri has left behind a husband and young kids, and Lucy called on the government to help lay her to rest and also educate her young children

A trader from Rongai's Kware market has bitterly mourned her friend, Njeri, who was among the 12 people who were killed in the Nithi Bridge accident.

How did the Nithi Bridge collision occur?

According to a trader, Lucy Kiende, who used to sell fruits alongside Njeri, the group had travelled to Nkubu, in Meru county, to visit one of their chama member's parents for blessings when they were involved in a multi-car accident on the infamous Nithi Bridge.

Reportedly, tragedy struck when a pickup truck collided head-on with the 14-seater van carrying the group of friends.

A few minutes later, a Toyota Sienta lost brakes and rammed into a stalled lorry at the accident scene.

Njeri leaves husband, young kids behind

Speaking to Paxon TV, Lucy, who worked with the deceased in the market and is married into Njeri's family, said the deceased lived with her mum in Rongai, but the latter left for her rural home.

"Njeri's auntie alighted at her stage but later learnt that the rest had been involved in an accident. She went to Chuka and found her in the mortuary. We are very sad because she was a young lady, and she died with a one-year-old child," said Lucy.

"We need help from the government to plan for the funeral as it is a big burden; Njeri had very young children and her husband does not have a job. The mum was the main provider with a little help from the husband," she added.

Kenyans react to the video

User mercy mati:

"Unaeza overtake Nithii aki 😭😭😭."

Cathrin Nj:

"😭😭Gari za miraa ziwekwe speed governer😭."

carGirl@2024:

"Nithi you don't overtake."

Lizkario

"It's only God who knows why..pole Sana to the bereaved families."

zabrina_mamake_jay:

"Walikufa 10 adults and 2 kids very painful Rongai we are bleeding aki😭😭."

Muthikas:

"Watu mukitaka vizuri kama umaneenda meru tafuta gari ya uko coz ni kaa dereva ni mgeni."

Linet Njeri:

"RIP to them and I send a condolence to their family 😭😭."

Team member says Meru event was beautiful

Those involved in the Nithi Bridge accident included nine women returning from a parental blessing event in Meru, which was very beautiful.

Elizabeth, a team member who travelled in another van, said there were 20 women and two children at the event.

Jared Bikundo, the driver of Elizabeth's van, explained to TUKO.co.ke how the accident occurred, stating that he watched the scene unfold.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke