By TWV Team
A presidential escort officer has been charged at the Milimani Law Courts with causing death by dangerous driving, following a fatal road accident that claimed the life of a 79-year-old British national. George Mwangi Maina, a member of President William Ruto’s security detail, appeared before the Milimani Traffic Court on charges related to an incident on 13 March 2025 along Ngong Road near Adams Arcade, Nairobi.
According to the charge sheet, Mwangi was driving a Toyota Prado with registration number GKB 790J or KCY 351H when he allegedly struck Edgar Charles Fredrick Riches, a pedestrian attempting to cross the busy road at around 12:30 pm. The accident occurred, and Riches was pronounced dead at the scene.
The prosecution alleged Mwangi drove dangerously, considering the road conditions, traffic volume, and general environment at the time. Eyewitnesses said the deceased was hit at a zebra crossing, and the driver did not stop after the impact.
The court heard that Mwangi was part of President Ruto’s motorcade, travelling from Lang’ata to Kibra Constituency on the fourth day of the head of state’s Nairobi County tour. Sources close to the security detail suggested the vehicle could not stop due to presidential convoy protocols, as President Ruto’s official car was reportedly just a few metres behind.
Appearing in court, Mwangi pleaded not guilty to the charge. Through his legal counsel, he appealed for a lenient cash bail, noting that he had previously been released on a police bond of KSh 20,000 and had cooperated fully with the ongoing investigation.
The defence also requested access to all evidence the prosecution intends to present. After hearing submissions from both parties, the court granted Mwangi a cash bail of KSh 150,000 or an alternative bond of KSh 300,000.
The deceased, Edgar Charles Fredrick Riches, was a respected charity worker from Poole, Dorset, UK. He had spent many years supporting humanitarian projects across Kenya and was in the country for one such initiative when the tragedy occurred.
The incident has sparked both diplomatic and public concern, especially given the involvement of a high-level government convoy. In a statement issued shortly after the incident, National Police Service (NPS) spokesperson Michael Muchiri said: “Following a fatal accident today at Adams Arcade on Ngong Road involving a government vehicle, which killed a foreign national pedestrian, the National Police Service is handling the matter and has begun investigations.”
The case is expected to attract significant public scrutiny, with questions raised about government convoy accountability, road safety standards, and pedestrian protection in urban centres.
