The individual who tragically lost his life after being struck by the motorcade of Kenya’s President has been identified as a 79-year-old retired bank manager from Britain. This gentleman, named Edgar Riches, was in Kenya engaging in charitable endeavors at the time of the accident.
The incident occurred when Mr. Riches was hit by a vehicle within President William Ruto’s convoy while he was crossing a bustling street in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya.
Hailing from Poole in Dorset, Mr. Riches had traveled to Kenya to visit his sister and nephew before the tragic accident took place. Before this unfortunate event, he had been actively involved in fundraising efforts to support the construction of an orphanage or school. His trip to Kenya was intended to continue his backing of these charitable causes.
Police arrested the driver of a support vehicle and have launched an investigation into the alleged hit-and-run. The driver failed to stop after the incident, police said. He has since been bailed.
A post mortem examination determined the cause of death as multiple trauma.
Mr Riches, who had lived in Canford Cliffs, Dorset, for at least 50 years, was a long-standing member of the town’s Conservative Association and often visited Our Lady of Fatima and St Joseph and St Walburga Churches.
He was also a keen fundraiser for CAFOD, a charity that helps to build schools in Kenya. His wife passed away several years ago and his son is also believed to live in Dorset.
Ann Stribley, the president of Poole Conservative Association (PCA), said she had known Mr Riches for around 50 years. She said he had raised money in his home town to sponsor building ‘an orphanage or school’ in Africa.
Edgar Riches died after being knocked down by a vehicle in President William Ruto’s convoy while he was crossing a busy road in the country’s capital, Nairobi
Police arrested the driver of a support vehicle and have launched an investigation into the alleged hit-and-run
A few weeks ago Mr Riches won ‘the annual big prize of something over £500’ in a PCA lotto-style draw, Ms Stribley said. During his trip he was to pass the funds on to a building development he was sponsoring in Kenya.
The treasurer and later a trustee of the PCA, he was an active Conservative for well over 50 years and ‘very dedicated to working for other people and the community, and things that he thought should be done, which is why he was in Africa actually’, Ms Stribley said.
She continued: ‘He was a private individual but a really lovely man. He was a great supporter and a fantastic fundraiser. He was quite a quiet man but he was always happy to talk if you asked him about his work.
‘We are all just really shocked about what has happened. I only saw him a few weeks ago.
‘He was recently given a small cash prize for his work and I’m sure he would have used that money to help people when he was out in Kenya.
‘I know that he was really looking forward to his trip out there as he had such a long involvement with the project.
‘I just think he was quite remarkable, especially in this day and age.’
The parish priest at St Joseph’s church in Poole, where Mr Riches worshipped and was a reader, said he was ‘quite a private man, but he was very involved in the parish’ and had been for about 30 years.
Edgar Riches died after being knocked down by a vehicle in President William Ruto’s convoy while he was crossing a busy road in the country’s capital, Nairobi. Pictured: William Ruto speaks during a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in September
He also said Mr Riches supported a school in Africa and was heavily involved in charity work, particularly for the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (Cafod).
He was set to do his annual sponsored walk to fundraise for them, the cleric said.
He added: ‘I spoke to him just before he left for Africa just a week or so ago.
‘He was very faithful to Sunday mass… generally he was always there, always helping, always doing things.
‘It’s a huge shock for all of us. Can’t take it in to be honest. The fact he’s not coming back is just very strange’.
Cafod said Mr Riches ‘fundraised relentlessly’ for them, organising ‘hundreds of charity events year after year’.
Simon Giarchi, from Cafod Plymouth and South West, said: ‘We were incredibly sad to hear of the death of Edgar Riches, an inspirational gentleman who fundraised relentlessly for Cafod over decades. He was tireless in organising hundreds of charity events year after year (including one just days before his trip to Nairobi).
In the post on the aid agency’s Twitter account, he added: ‘Edgar was a kind and remarkable person who will be sorely missed. His efforts, via his Poole parish, to help tackle injustice and inequality around the world, will continue to make a difference to many communities living in poverty’.
Pictures show shocked onlookers gathering around the man after the crash
Footage circulating online appears to show the motorcade speeding along Ngog Road in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, with screams reportedly heard following the incident.
Other videos show a crowd gathering around the man, with onlookers visibly shocked by what had happened.
Graphic images have been circulating on social media showing the deceased man bleeding on the road in the aftermath of the collision.
John Challinor, a local councillor and long-term friend added: ‘He was just a caring and helpful man who was passionate about what he did.
‘He didn’t shout about his work but I always found him extremely approachable. He would never seek the spotlight.
‘He would often come down for fundraising events and and would take part in political discussions.
‘What has happened it just such a terrible tragedy and a shock to us all.’
May Haines, 64, knew Mr Riches for around 20 years and she said: ‘It is a real tragedy what has happened. He was just the most selfless person.
Witnesses in the popular shopping area gasped as they took in the shocking scenes on Thursday
‘He would quietly give his own time and always put other people first.
‘I know he was out there visiting family but I have no doubt he was involved with his charity work whilst he was there.
‘It is just terribly sad and I cannot imagine what his close family and friends are going through at the moment.
‘I know he was also passionate about mother nature. He would often go for walks and loved looking at trees and plants.’
A spokesperson for Our Lady of Fatima Church said: ‘Edgar was a much loved parishioner of St Joseph’s and active in both parishes in organising events and fundraising. Please pray for his family and friends.’
The tragic collision took place near Adams Arcade, a busy shopping area by the city centre.
President Ruto had been travelling along the main road as part of a tour of the capital after carrying out engagements in the vicinity of the crash.
Police told reporters that the vehicle involved in the collision belonged to the regional administration and was providing support to the President’s security detail.
A statement from Kenya’s National Police Service said: ‘Following a road accident that occurred at Adams Arcade along Ngong Road involving a government vehicle, which resulted in the death of a pedestrian who is is a foreign national, the NPS is now handling the matter and investigations have commenced.’
The spokesperson also urged road users and pedestrians to ‘exercise extreme caution and adhere to traffic rules to prevent accidents’.
A FCDO Spokesperson said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Kenya and are in contact with the local authorities.’
