Two men in viral clip hanging dangerously on a moving Mercedes identifed, arrested
Two people filmed hanging dangerously in a speeding Mecerdes-Benz along Mombasa road were on Monday, April 22, arrested and are set to appear in court today, April 23.
The suspects were identified as Peter Igadwa Agawy, 23 and Peleg Mosongo Momari, 20 and were detained at Capital Hill Police Station, Nairobi.
The arrest came after Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen raised concerns after the video clip went viral after it was shared in social media platforms and pledged to take action.
The incident is said to have occurred on Saturday morning, April 20.
The vehicle was impounded and is being detained at Nairobi Area Traffic Headquarters pending the arrest of the female driver identified as Loise Apata who is still at large.
On Monday, CS Murkomen vowed to take action on the motor vehicle that was filmed along Mombasa Road with two individuals hanging.
He wondered why the owner of the car could break traffic rules on the busy Mombasa Road, wondering if the stunts were meant to taunt him to see how he would react as Roads Minister.
“Mr James Gathogo Njeri this is how your car white Mercedes Benz KCX 959B class E-250 was being driven on Mombasa road in one of those “where is the Minister” moments. We are concerned and a responsible citizen has alerted us. We shall do what we must,” Murkomen wrote on X.
“We are concerned and a responsible citizen has alerted us. We shall do what we must.”
Travelling with a part of the body outside a moving vehicle is a traffic offence that attracts a penalty of Sh1,000.
Passengers are required to wear a seatbelt whenever a vehicle is in motion.
Failure to adhere to that is an offence that attracts a fine of at least Sh500.
Latest data from NTSA reveals that at least 1,213 people have died on the road in the past three months.
Pedestrians account for the largest number of fatalities at 445, followed by motorcyclists at 285 and passengers at 259.
According to the data captured between January 1 and April 3, pillion (motorcycle) passengers came fourth at 103 followed by drivers (99) and pedal cyclists (24).
The deaths are an increase of 5.8 per cent from 1,146 during the same period last year.
Last year, more than 4,300 people were killed in road accidents while the rest – from the 22,885 that were involved in accidents, were left with life-changing injuries.