This archive report was first published on 7 July 2019.
On July 5, 2019, Karanja Kabage, a businessman and politician, was involved in a fatal car accident on the Southern bypass. According to a police report, Kabage was driving himself when his vehicle veered to the wrong side of the road, slowed down, and appeared to be making a U-turn before hitting the pavement.
A taxi driver stopped and joined another Good Samaritan, who helped Kabage into the taxi. The taxi driver then drove Kabage's Land Cruiser to the Nairobi Hospital, accompanied by the Good Samaritan in a second vehicle. Upon arrival, Kabage was found unconscious, and despite efforts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead.
Kabage had been among the top presenters at the first annual Mt Kenya High-Level Uongozi Forum 2019, held at the Safari Park hotel. The forum brought together scholars, politicians, business people, and career civil servants from the Central Region Economic Bloc to develop an economic agenda for their 10 counties.
Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia recalled the last moments with Kabage at the event, saying, 'We spent the whole day with Hon KK as I call him at Safari Park Hotel where 70 leaders and professionals from Central Region Economic Bloc met to develop economic agenda for their 10 counties.'
President Uhuru Kenyatta eulogised Kabage as having a distinguished career in the insurance sector before joining business and politics. He described Kabage as a resourceful person who was always willing to offer legal aid to those who sought his help.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga also expressed his condolences, saying, 'My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends. May God grant them strength at this trying moment and may his soul rest in eternal peace.'
Lawyer Paul Muite remembered Kabage as a philanthropic person who was instrumental in the upgrading of Kilimani Police Station.
