British Man Killed in Hit-and-Run Incident Involving Kenyan President Ruto’s Motorcade
A tragic incident unfolded in Nairobi on Thursday, when a British man, identified as 79-year-old Edgar Charles Frederick, lost his life in a hit-and-run accident involving a vehicle from the motorcade of Kenyan President William Ruto.
According to police reports, the fatal collision occurred on a main road in Nairobi. The victim was struck by a support vehicle that was traveling at the rear of President Ruto’s official convoy. Emergency responders attempted to save Mr. Frederick, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after the incident.
Authorities detained a driver in connection with the accident; however, the individual has since been released on bail pending further investigation.
The case has raised questions about road safety protocols and the conduct of support vehicles within official convoys. Investigators are working to establish the circumstances that led to the collision and to determine if any additional measures need to be implemented to prevent similar tragedies in the future
According to police, President Ruto’s official detail had already passed when the fatal accident occurred. Police spokesman Michael Muchiri told the BBC that 79-year-old Edgar Charles Frederick, a British national visiting Kenya to see his sister and nephew, was struck by a support vehicle traveling at the rear of the motorcade. Frederick’s next-of-kin have been informed, and a post-mortem is scheduled for later on Friday.
The driver involved in the incident, who failed to stop, has been detained and is expected to appear in court after further investigations are conducted.
Social media has erupted in response to Thursday’s tragedy. Although it is common for roads to be cleared for the presidential motorcade, many Kenyans have questioned why the convoy was unusually large and moving at high speed on that day. This incident is not the first time a presidential or deputy presidential motorcade has been linked to the death or injury of a pedestrian; in several past cases, even members of the president’s own entourage have been affected. However, many observers believe that the attention surrounding this case is amplified by the fact that the victim was a foreign national.
A spokesperson for the UK High Commission confirmed that officials are monitoring the situation and are actively seeking additional information.
Videos circulating on social media show a man in blue jeans and a light-colored shirt bleeding on the roadside near a busy shopping district, while other images depict the victim wrapped in a checked shawl, locally known as a Maasai Shuka.
Mr. Muchiri explained that the vehicle involved belonged to the regional administration and was providing support to President Ruto’s detail. Meanwhile, President Ruto was in the vicinity on Thursday, engaging with the public as part of his ongoing political activities.
SOURCE: BBC NEWS
