Cs Murkomen Orders Crackdown on Overspeeding Miraa Vehicles Along Mwea–Embu Highway

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered an immediate crackdown on miraa transport vehicles along the Mwea–Embu highway in Kirinyaga County.

Speaking on Thursday during the Jukwaa La Usalama forum in Kerugoya, Murkomen said miraa vehicles, often driven at dangerously high speeds, are a growing threat to residents of Kirinyaga and Embu counties.

Murkomen Orders Crackdown on Overspeeding Miraa Vehicles Along Mwea–Embu Highway

Cs Murkomen Targets Reckless Miraa Drivers

The CS revealed that he had earlier directed the Eastern Regional Commissioner to hold a meeting with miraa drivers and vehicle owners. However, both groups refused to attend.

“They declined the meeting called by the Eastern Regional Commissioner,” Murkomen stated. “Now, we must deal with them firmly and without fear.”

He instructed security officers to take decisive action to restore order on the busy highway.

Governor Waiguru Raises Alarm Over Rising Deaths

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru supported Murkomen’s directive. She described miraa-related road accidents as a “disturbing menace” that continues to claim lives, especially those of school-going children.

Waiguru revealed that 25 people lost their lives in miraa-related accidents in Kirinyaga last year alone. She added that the number could be even higher when fatalities from neighboring counties are included.

Call for Tougher Transport Measures

While acknowledging that miraa is a perishable crop, Waiguru stressed that human lives must come first.

“A life lost for whatever reason is too much to bear,” she said. “I propose broader stakeholder consultations to streamline the miraa transport sector.”

She further called for tougher measures to improve road safety, including:

• Rerouting miraa vehicles away from busy roads

• Enforcing the installation of speed governors

• Introducing stricter compliance checks

“Even if it means diverting routes or forcing vehicles to install speed governors, the government must act decisively,” Waiguru insisted.

Traffic Police Ordered to Act Immediately

In response, Murkomen issued a swift directive to the Kirinyaga County Traffic Commander to launch an immediate crackdown on overspeeding miraa vehicles.

“We cannot tolerate overspeeding vehicles at the expense of people’s lives,” Murkomen said. “There is no comparison between money and human life.”

However, traffic police officers in Kerugoya raised concerns over challenges in enforcing traffic rules. They cited resistance, intimidation, and harassment from miraa drivers, making their work even more difficult.