A dark cloud hangs over Kitui East Constituency following the tragic death of Dorcas Mbithuka, the mother of area Member of Parliament Hon. Nimrod Mbai, in a road accident that occurred mid-morning on Sunday, July 20, along the busy Thika–Garissa Highway near Kithimani in Yatta sub-county.
The accident which involved a Toyota Probox ferrying three occupants two women and a male driver — when it lost control and plunged into the notorious Yatta Canal. One woman died instantly, and two others were rushed to the hospital with critical injuries.
While initial media reports did not reveal the identity of the deceased, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Lower Eastern Regional Coordinator, Engineer Vincent Kavaayi, later confirmed that the victim was indeed the MP’s mother.
“I am deeply saddened to learn the sudden death of Dorcas Mbithuka, mother to Hon. Nimrod Mbai, Member of Parliament for Kitui East, through a road accident at Kithimani. I convey my utmost condolences to her family and the people of Kitui East,” Kavaayi said in a condolence message.
Efforts by Channel 15 News to obtain further comment from local police were unfruitful, even after photos of the deceased surfaced online. However, a local eyewitness told Channel 15 News that this is not the first time a tragedy has occurred at that exact spot.
“This is the second accident at the canal. Drivers approach it at high speed and are caught off guard by a bump-like corrugation at the bridge,” the resident said.
National media, including The Star, also reported the Sunday accident and confirmed the vehicle plunged into the canal, killing one female passenger and injuring two others. Police at the scene attributed the crash to loss of control, possibly due to overspeeding and poor road design.
The Thika–Garissa Highway has in recent years gained notoriety for frequent fatal crashes, especially around the Kithimani–Makongeni stretch. Residents have been calling for the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to install proper signage, warning bumps, and railings around the canal, which they now describe as a “silent killer.”
As the nation mourns with Hon. Nimrod Mbai and his family, funeral arrangements are expected to be communicated soon.
