Tragedy: Boy killed in car accident

A speeding car ploughed into a group of children playing football, killing one in Rongai on Saturday.

Ajeline Gitau, Melvin Kinuthia's mother, said she last saw him on Saturday afternoon as he went out to play at Simon Dere grounds in Rongai.

"He loved football. He was a very talented boy. I'm still confused and in disbelief that he is gone," said Ms Gitau at Umash Funeral Home yesterday.

Details surrounding the accident are subject of a police investigation. A suspect was on Monday presented before a Ngong court and police granted seven days to continue holding him. Kajiado County OCPD Joseph Mwika said he was in their custody.

Witness accounts talk of a group of about 22 boys in the middle of a football match when a car was suddenly driven into the field, sending the children running helter-skelter.

Melvin was not so lucky, as he was hit by the car. He was taken to Mariakani Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Witnesses say they noticed something unusual about the car’s movement and tried to warn the driver. Melvin was caught unawares and had little time to move out of harm’s way.