Police arrest driver who knocked, killed a pedestrian in Eldoret

Police in Eldoret are holding a driver who had escaped after killing a pedestrian at Annex Junction along Nakuru-Eldoret on Wednesday evening.

Swale Mohamed, who was transporting bags of salt from Mombasa to Uganda knocked down a middle-aged man killing him on the spot at around 4.30 pm.

When he noticed that his life was in danger, he sped off and knocked down another boda boda operator near Sosiani Bridge about 100 meters from the scene, prompting protests from members of the public and bodaboda operators.

Mohamed is said to have abandoned his lorry at Old Uganda road as irate residents accosted him, blocking the road while baying for his blood opposite African InLand Church.

He later surrendered himself at Eldoret West Police station where he recorded a statement about the incident.

When the residents realized he had escaped, they set the vehicle ablaze causing heavy traffic jam on the busy main road.

Eldoret West OCPD Eliud Maiyo confirmed that the culprit reported to the station on Wednesday evening after he managed to escape.

“The driver surrendered himself to the police yesterday, and we are holding him here to gather more information from both him and the witnesses before taking him to court,” said Maiyo.

The OCPD urged the residents to avoid taking the law into their own hands saying those involved in burning the vehicle risk being arrested for damaging property.

The motorcycle rider was taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital for treatment.