Residents demonstrate over slow police response

By NDERITU GICHURE

Nyeri, Kenya: Residents have blocked the main Nairobi-Nanyuki highway near Karatina claiming authorities were not assisting to recover a pickup which plunged into a deep roadside dam in the area with three occupants.

Traffic on the highway has been on a standstill as residents demonstrated over failure to send specialized divers to rescue two of the victims who are still trapped the ill-fated pickup.

The two and another man who was rescued on Wednesday evening were in the pickup which plunged into Hohwe Dam along Nyeri -Karatina highway.

The vehicle which was heading to Karatina from Nyeri town lost control and cut into the barbed wire fence before plunging into the 25 metre deep dam during the 5 pm incident.

Eyewitness said a man believed to be the driver of the vehicle was saved by army officers in a truck that he had just overtaken on speed before he lost control before taking the dangerous plunge into the picturesque roadside dam.

He was rushed to the Karatina District Hospital.

Eyewitness Anthony Gitonga who operates a boda boda in the area said the new car which was trying to overtake the army truck appeared to have completely lost control of the vehicle.

Other eyewitnesses said the driver appeared to have lost control because he was speeding.

Mathira West deputy Commissioner Mohammed Galgalo told journalists at the scene that fire fighters from Karatina were doing everything possible to retrieve the other passengers who were still trapped in the wreckage which was completely submerged into the water.

Area residents jammed at the scene including students who were heading home from neighbouring day schools.

Traffic police had a rough time along the highway controlling vehicles as most drivers slowed down to catch a glimpse of the vehicle.