Tuesday, November 7 will forever paint a heart aching memory for Moses Baraza, as the day he identified the body of his late father who perished in the grisly road accident that happened at Ngata on Monday, November 6.

64-year-old James Mutende, was the driver to the 11 seater matatu which was involved in the Monday morning accident.

Baraza, a police officer stationed at the Kabete Police Station, says he had just arrived home from his night shift, when he saw news circulating on the internet of a road accident in Ngata involving a truck and a 11-seater matatu from Farasi Sacco.

Video: Family of matatu driver who died in Ngata accident speak

“Information of the accident triggered me a little because my dad worked for the said Sacco. Nonetheless, I took to bed since I was fatigued from the overnight shift. However, around mid-day I was notified of his death by my family,” he says, as he poses for a minute before he continues to share the love he had for his dad.

Baraza says as the last-born son of his family, his father was more than a friend to him.

“I can’t be more grateful for the role my dad has played in my life from educating me and getting me to be stable in life. It is saddening to lose him to an accident before he could enjoy the fruits of his work now that I am employed,” he says.

Moses Mutende last born son to the deceased driver who lost his life on November 6, 2023.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Read: Another road crash at Ngata claims eight lives

The deceased’s younger brother Issac Wanyonyi, says his brother had been a driver for more than 30 years and he was someone he always looked up to.

Additionally, he notes that he has not yet come to terms with his brother’s death, recalling that they had made plans on a family get together to happen during the December festive season.

Wanyonyi urged the government to honour their word and dual the Nakuru-Eldoret to prevent more accidents from happening on the Ngata stretch.

“As family we are already at a loss. My hope is that we will not see more of this while government sits silently,” says Wanyonyi in an angered voiced.

Related: Nakuru leaders blame traffic police for Ngata road crash, as death toll rises to eleven

The family is now looking into moving the body from the Nakuru county mortuary (Kwa Jack) to Bungoma county and give their loved one a befitting send off.

Wanjirukinuthia20@gmail.com

Anger and grief as family of matatu driver who died in Ngata accident identify his body

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Purity Kinuthia