Rashid Ahmed Ismail appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Simon Kimani on Wednesday to answer to four counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
The criminal charges, brought forward by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), were instituted under Section 46 of Kenya's Traffic Act, Cap. 403.
According to Principal Prosecution Counsel Jethron Okumu, the fatal evening crash occurred on June 1, 2026, at approximately 6:00 p.m. in the Mwembeni area of Samburu Sub-County, Kwale County.
The court heard that Ismail was operating a Toyota Voxy, registration number KDD 319B, when he allegedly drove recklessly on the public highway without considering prevailing traffic conditions and the nature of the road.
State prosecutors told the magistrate that the accused failed to maintain his proper lane while attempting to overtake other vehicles along that busy stretch.
This alleged maneuver triggered a devastating head-on collision with an oncoming Nissan X-Trail, registration number KCM 744S.
The violent impact claimed the lives of four individuals, with each fatality forming a separate count on the official charge sheet.
The deceased victims were identified in court records as Richard Nyamai Mwaniki, Richard Nyamai Mutia, Zahara Chebet Ahmed, and Khalid Kirruto Ahmed.
Appearing in the dock, Ismail pleaded not guilty to all four criminal counts leveled against him by the state.
While the prosecution did not object to the accused being granted bail pending trial, counsel urged the court to impose stringent conditions to guarantee his attendance during subsequent court proceedings.
Magistrate Kimani subsequently granted the plea and released Ismail on a bond of KSh150,000.
To prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, the prosecution indicated it plans to line up more than 10 witnesses alongside crucial documentary evidence during the upcoming trial.
The matter is scheduled for mention on December 17, 2026, when the court will issue pre-trial directions for the case.
SOURCE
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