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| CJ Maraga addresses journalists after walking out of War Memorial Hospital Nakuru where he was admitted after the crash. He says he and his wife are in stable conditions. PHOTO | ERIC MATARA | NATION MEDIA GROUP. |
Chief Justice David Maraga and his wife Yucabeth Nyaboke have been airlifted to the capital Nairobi for specialised treatment after they were involved in a road crash at Ngata area in Nakuru County.
The president of Kenya’s Supreme Court was first taken and admitted to the emergency section of Nakuru War Memorial Hospital on Saturday before they were transferred to The Nairobi Hospital.
The couple, who were using their official car, were headed to a church service in Ngata area when the 10.45am crash happened.
According to Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Mongo Chimwaga, Judge Maraga’s Mercedes Benz was hit by a personal vehicle as it crossed Ng’ata Bridge.
“The Chief Justice and his wife suffered minor injuries during the mid-morning accident. The two are in a very stable condition .The CJ’s driver was not hurt in the accident,” said Mr Chimwaga.
Later, the CJ confirmed their condition in a tweet: “My wife and I were involved in an accident in Nakuru this morning on our way to church. We are undergoing medical observation. My driver and aide who were with us are also okay. We thank God for His mercies. Thank you Kenyans for your prayers and concern.”
A few minutes to 1pm, CJ Maraga walked out of the hospital as the couple headed for Lanet military airstrip to be airlifted to Nairobi.
Unlike the judge who walked without assistance, his wife, who suffered neck injuries, was helped by the nurses to board the ambulance.
Mr Chimwanga said the CJ was airlifted after President Uhuru Kenyatta directed the Kenya Defence Forces in Lanet to evacuate the couple.
The top judge, the head of Kenya’s judiciary, suffered minor head injuries.
It was not immediately clear how the 10.45am crash happened but the regional coordinator and other sources told the Nation that Judge Maraga’s Mercedes Benz was hit by an oncoming personal car.
Mr Chimwaga said authorities were investigating the cause of the collision.
The crash comes barely a day after the chief justice visited Nakuru War Memorial to check on his bodyguard on Friday.
The security man was admitted there for about four days after he was involved in yet another road accident on Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
By noon, KDF emergency crew were preparing to airlift the couple and the bodyguard from Lanet military airstrip to Nairobi.
The driver of the personal vehicle that hit the CJ’s car is also recuperating at the Nakuru Level Five Hospital.
After the crash, local leaders and administrators, including Nakuru County Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha and the Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama, flocked to the hospital to check on the CJ.
They wished the CJ and his wife quick recovery.
The crash happened along the notorious section of the Nakuru-Eldoret highway that stretches from Ngata- Sobea- Salgaa- Migaa-Sachangwan-Total junction near Mau summit shopping centre.
It also includes Jolly farm and Mkinyai areas.
Scores of people have died and many others have sustained injuries in crashes along the dangerous stretch.
Dark patches of spilled oil, broken glasses, pieces of rubber and mangled remains of motor vehicle parts litter the road section –a grim reminder that the stretch bears a bitter past for many families.