Traffic along the busy Murang’a highway came to a standstill on Monday after a lorry overturned between Kambiti and Kakuzi, spilling part of its wheat flour cargo onto the roadside.
The lorry, which was headed towards Nairobi, reportedly lost control before tipping over. Within minutes, curious residents and motorists rushed to the scene, with many scrambling to collect packets of wheat flour scattered across the road. Others attempted to help clear the wreckage to ease traffic flow.
Police officers and local authorities arrived shortly after to control the crowd, secure the remaining cargo, and direct traffic. Emergency responders also assessed the condition of the driver and other individuals involved in the crash.
The scramble for flour highlighted the economic hardships many households face, as residents rushed to salvage the precious commodity. The scene caused tension and further slowed efforts to reopen the road.
The Kambiti–Kakuzi stretch is a critical transport route linking Murang’a and Nairobi, notorious for heavy traffic and frequent accidents. Monday’s incident led to massive snarl-ups, with motorists stranded for hours until the wreckage was cleared.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing to determine whether the lorry suffered mechanical failure or driver error. Meanwhile, the incident left many reflecting on both the dangers of road transport and the desperate measures residents take amid rising living costs.
