Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri has cheated death in a terrifying road accident this morning. The legislator’s vehicle collided with a matatu at the notorious Siraji blackspot in Timau while he was speeding to join President William Ruto for a function in Meru. Both the MP and the occupants of the matatu—including several Catholic nuns—escaped with minor injuries.

The accident has once again shone a spotlight on the treacherous nature of the Nanyuki-Meru highway and the culture of VIP speeding. Witnesses describe the MP’s car sustaining heavy frontal damage, a testament to the force of the impact. "God was with them," said a bystander who helped pull the shaken MP from the wreckage. Rindikiri was treated at a Nanyuki hospital and, in a show of grit, was reportedly stable enough to consider continuing with his schedule.

The VIP Rush Menace

While the cause of the crash is under investigation, the incident fits a worrying pattern of accidents involving dignitaries rushing to presidential events. The pressure to "be seen" by the Head of State often leads to convoys disregarding traffic rules, endangering both the leaders and the wananchi. This near-miss should serve as a stern warning: physics respects no title.

The involvement of a matatu carrying nuns adds a layer of divine irony to the survival story. It also reminds us that on Kenyan roads, everyone is vulnerable—from the lawmaker in the Prado to the sister in the PSV. The Siraji stretch is infamous for its deceptively smooth tarmac that encourages speed but punishes the slightest error.

• NTSA Statistics: Road carnage remains a national crisis. In the first three weeks of January 2026 alone, we have lost nearly 300 lives. That is 300 families broken, 300 breadwinners gone. The stats are not just numbers; they are a national bleeding wound.
• Political Resilience: Rindikiri’s team was quick to issue a statement assuring his supporters of his safety. "We are all safe and doing well," he posted, calming the anxiety in his constituency. His ability to walk away from such a wreck is miraculous.

A Call for Caution

As the President tours the region launching development projects, the excitement is palpable, but it should not come at the cost of safety. We urge the police to enforce speed limits strictly, even for those with flags on their bonnets. A delayed MP is better than a late MP.

Mugambi Rindikiri will live to fight another day in Parliament, but for the grace of God, today’s headlines could have been tragicaly different.