A British national was killed in Kenya on Thursday after being struck by a government vehicle that was part of President William Ruto’s motorcade.
Edgar Charles Frederick, 79, was fatally hit as the presidential convoy traveled through Nairobi on its way to a public engagement. The driver of the vehicle was arrested and later released on cash bail, police spokesperson Michael Muchiri confirmed on Friday.
A spokesperson for the British High Commission stated that officials were “liaising with the authorities” following the incident.
The accident has sparked public outrage in Kenya, with many questioning the high speed at which the president’s motorcade was traveling on a busy road. Videos circulating on social media showed the victim lying on the tarmac with severe head injuries while the vehicle that hit him failed to stop.
According to police, the presidential motorcade often consists of dozens of vehicles traveling at high speeds for security reasons.
Muchiri told the BBC that Frederick had been visiting Kenya to see his sister and nephew, who are residents of the country. A post-mortem examination is scheduled to determine the exact cause of death.
Meanwhile, Kenyan media reports indicate that the fatal accident occurred on Ngong Road near Adams Arcade as the convoy moved from Lang’ata to Kibra.
National Police Service spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga stated, “Following a serious traffic accident today at Adams Arcade along Ngong Road involving a government vehicle, which led to the death of a pedestrian who is a foreign national, the National Police Service (NPS) is now handling the matter, and investigations have commenced.”
Eyewitness accounts suggest the victim, described as a middle-aged Caucasian man, was crossing the road when he was struck, seemingly unaware of the approaching motorcade. His body has been transferred to City Mortuary, where an autopsy will be conducted.
The NPS has urged all road users to remain vigilant and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent further accidents. “The National Police Service urges motorists, pedestrians, and all other road users to exercise extreme caution and adhere to traffic rules to prevent accidents,” the agency stated.
