A female traffic police officer has died after she was struck by a lorry while directing traffic at a busy junction in Makadara, Nairobi, in a tragic hit-and-run incident that has prompted a police manhunt for the driver.
Corporal Joyce Muthoni Mwicigi, service number 69164, succumbed to injuries at Nairobi West Hospital on August 22, 2026, a day after she was knocked down while carrying out her duties.
The incident has renewed attention on the risks faced by traffic officers who work in busy road junctions, often standing directly alongside moving vehicles as they manage congestion and maintain order.
Officer struck while directing traffic
According to police sources at Makongeni Police Station, Corporal Mwicigi was managing traffic at the intersection of Lungalunga Road and Mogadishu Road at approximately 12:30 p.m. when the accident occurred.
Police said an Isuzu lorry, registration KZQ 282, was travelling from the House of Manji direction towards Donholm.
The officer reportedly instructed the driver to stop to allow other motorists to join Mogadishu Road.
Instead of complying, the driver allegedly continued driving and struck the uniformed officer, knocking her to the ground before speeding away from the scene.
The circumstances described by police have raised concerns about the dangers traffic officers face when enforcing road rules and directing vehicles in congested urban areas.
Lorry allegedly hit three other vehicles
The incident did not end with the collision involving the officer.
After hitting Corporal Mwicigi, the fleeing lorry allegedly crashed into three other vehicles before disappearing from the scene.
The officer sustained serious injuries, including a fractured pelvis, facial cuts and severe bruising.
Emergency responders subsequently rushed her to Nairobi West Hospital, where she was admitted for treatment.
Police officers also visited the scene as investigations got underway, while the three vehicles damaged in the incident were towed to the police yard for inspection.
Officer dies after hours in hospital
Despite efforts to save her life, Corporal Mwicigi died the following afternoon.
She reportedly spent approximately 26 hours receiving treatment before she was pronounced dead at about 2:10 p.m. on August 22.
Her death represents another loss within the National Police Service involving an officer who was carrying out routine public duties.
Traffic officers routinely operate in close proximity to moving vehicles, particularly at busy junctions where they manually control traffic when congestion, road conditions or other circumstances make normal traffic-flow systems inadequate.
Manhunt launched for driver
Following the fatal crash, police launched a manhunt for the driver of the lorry, who remained at large at the time of reporting.
Investigators are expected to rely on witness accounts, the damaged vehicles, traffic information and other available evidence as they work to establish exactly what happened and identify the driver.
The investigation will also seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the driver’s alleged failure to stop after striking the officer.
Kenya’s National Police Service Standing Orders require accidents involving injury or death to be investigated, with officers expected to establish the particulars of those involved, collect witness information and examine the mechanical condition of vehicles involved.
In serious accidents, investigators are also required, where applicable, to prepare sketch plans and document the scene as part of the investigation process.
Hit-and-run incidents remain a serious concern
Corporal Mwicigi’s death comes amid continued concerns over the safety of officers enforcing traffic regulations.
Traffic officers work in environments where motorists may be impatient, distracted or unwilling to comply with instructions.
A similar incident was reported in July when a traffic officer attached to the Ruiru Traffic Base was seriously injured after a matatu allegedly dragged him along the Thika-Nairobi service lane. Police launched a manhunt for the vehicle’s driver and conductor.
While the circumstances of the two incidents are different, both illustrate the physical risks officers can encounter while performing traffic-control duties.
Questions now surround the fatal crash
The death of Corporal Mwicigi leaves investigators with the immediate task of locating the driver and determining whether criminal charges will follow once the circumstances are fully established.
For her colleagues, however, the incident is a stark reminder of the dangers involved in a job that requires officers to stand among moving vehicles to keep Nairobi’s roads functioning.
As the police investigation continues, the search for the lorry driver remains central to the case.
The tragedy has also highlighted the vulnerability of traffic officers and the importance of motorists obeying lawful instructions, exercising caution around officers and remaining at the scene when involved in accidents.
For now, the National Police Service is mourning an officer who died while performing her duty, as investigators work to bring the driver involved in the fatal Makadara collision to justice.
