Taveta MCA in critical condition after hitting a giraffe in Tsavo

A woman died on the spot while a Member of the Taita-Taveta County Assembly was rushed to Moi County Referral Hospital when the vehicle they were travelling in hit a giraffe in Murka area near Tsavo West National Park on Tuesday.

Chanzu Khamadi, MCA for Mata Ward in Taveta Sub-county, was driving from Taveta along the Voi-Taveta-Holili highway when his Prado hit the giraffe that was crossing the road. The impact sent the car rolling several meters in the bush.

The MCA is also the Chair of the Lands Committee in the County Assembly.

Well-wishers walking along the road tried their best to save the two before an ambulance arrived and ferried the unconscious MCA to Moi County Referral Hospital in Voi.

The woman’s body was later taken to the mortuary at Moi Hospital for post-mortem.

County Executive Member for Health (CECM) John Mwakima said the medics at Moi had succeeded in stabilizing the MCA before he was referred for specialized treatment in Mombasa. “We have referred him to Mombasa for specialized treatment,” he said.

A medic at the facility disclosed that a scan showed the MCA had sustained head injuries that prompted the urgent need for a referral.

Confirming the incident, Mwatate Deputy Sub-County Police Commander Idriss Mohammed said a probe has been launched.

He explained that the MCA’s car hit a giraffe in the Murka area. The MCA was coming from Taveta to attend a County Assembly sitting that was slotted in the afternoon.

“They hit a giraffe at Murka in Tsavo West National Park. One person, a lady, succumbed,” he said.

It was not clear whether speed or mechanical failure is to blame for the fatal accident. A probe has already been launched into the accident.

Relatives of the deceased woman flocked the health facility in shock as the tragic news spread.

Several Members of the County Assembly also rushed to the health facility to check on the condition of their colleague.

Earlier, there were plans to airlift the patient but delays were caused by the approval of documents forcing a change of plans and an ambulance was instead used to transport him to Coast General Hospital.

There have been incidents of vehicles plying the Voi-Taveta Highway hitting wildlife crossing the road in Tsavo National Park.

The 110-km road that links the border town of Taveta to Mwatate and Voi cuts through Tsavo West National Park. Most of the accidents however are reported at night due to poor visibility.

To reduce incidences of wildlife-related accidents, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has erected various signposts inside the park directing on the speed limit. They have also erected signs warning road users of areas known for wildlife crossing.