Three Kenyans died in Arusha car racing crash – Police
National Police Service (NPS) has said that only three Kenyans died on Sunday evening at Oldonyo Sambu area in Tanzania on the Arusha-Namanga road in an accident during a street racing event.
At least eight people were feared dead and several others injured in the gruesome accident.
The victims were participating in a street car racing event dubbed The Arusha Drive 3.0.
“The National Police Service wishes to confirm that four Kenyans were involved in the fatal road accident involving two motor vehicles, that occurred yesterday (Sunday) in Arusha. One Lady and two men passed on while the fourth person escaped with injuries,” police said via tweet.
The National Police Service wishes
to confirm that four Kenyans were involved in the fatal road accident involving two motor vehicles, that occurred yesterday in Arusha. One Lady and two men passed on while the fourth person escaped with injuries. 1/2— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) April 22, 2019
On Sunday after the accident, Arusha Police Commander Jonathan Shanna said two saloon cars collided and veered off road ramming into spectators.
The two vehicles are believed to have been speeding.
Photos shared online showed the mangled wreckage of the vehicles and lifeless bodies of some of the victims lying at the scene of the accident.
Police added that the next of kin of those who perished have been informed and their bodies airlifted back to the country.
The survivor is in the process of being transferred home for medication after stabilization by Tanzanian Medics.
Among those who died was the nephew of Kirinyaga County Woman Representative, Purity Wangui Kuria-Ngirici.
On Monday, Ngirici took to Facebook to eulogize her departed nephew.
“The cruel hand of death has snatched my beloved nephew Robin who perished from the Arusha Namanga accident. Robin was a young man of virtue. I recall with nostalgia his passion for everything his mind set to do. He was a sociable bubbly gentleman who like any other young person had great dreams for his future. Rest in eternal peace my dear nephew. You will be fondly missed,” her post read.
The other two included his friend, IT specialist Onesmus Mwange, who runs a car systems business, and a woman identified only as Linet. They were all in his red Mitsubishi.
About 30 Kenyans who are described as speed lovers participated in the Arusha race and are a part of a group of elite street racers with a thirst for speed.
The speed lovers, who regularly hold racing events known as drag races in various parts of the country, drive some of the fastest cars on the streets of Nairobi.