MORE than 200 residents of Gitamaiyu village in Kiambu yesterday protested the rising deaths of pupils of Kiu River Primary School knocked down by speeding vehicles. The school is located along the busy Kiambu, Ruiru road.

The residents were joined by parents of Kiu River Primary School. They barricaded the road for more than five hours. "Early this week a class one pupil was hit by a speeding vehicle just a few metres from the school and died instantly.

Another pupil was knocked down by a vehicle while going to sit for KCPE exams," Miriam Wanjiru, a parent said. The residents engaged the police in a hide and seek game as the police removed barricades on the road.

The parents said the headteacher had written to the authorities three times over the situation in the area but no response had been received and they had to call for a meeting to address the issue.

The residents now want the Minister for Roads to intervene and instruct Kiambu county roads commissioner to erect bumps near the school and build a footpath for school going children.