Edgar Riches, 78, was a retired bank manager from Dorset (Image: BNPS)
A British charity worker on a sponsored walk was knocked down and killed by the Kenyan president’s convoy traveling at “excessive speed”, an inquest has heard. Edgar Riches, 78, was at the pedestrian crossing near the end of the Charity Walk when the VIP support vehicle “failed to arrive” and sped off.
The convoy, which was carrying President William Ruto to a public event in Nairobi at the time, did not stop to render aid to Mr Riches. The retired bank manager, from Poole, Dorset, suffered serious head and chest injuries in the collision and died instantly. He was in the African country to see his sister and nephew and to raise money to sponsor the construction of an orphanage or school in Africa.
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Kenyan President William Ruto (Image: Getty)
Local authorities investigated the incident and the driver of the Toyota Prado (Land Cruiser) was charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
He pleaded guilty to the crime in a Kenyan court, but avoided jail and instead received a fine equivalent to £575.
On Tuesday, Mr Riches’ daughter Pauline Olden told the inquest that “justice was not served”.
She said: “My dad was on the last leg of his charity walk, which he does every year to raise money for the country he loves visiting.
“He was tragically killed when he was struck by a driver going too fast while crossing a designated pedestrian crossing.
“The police car and ambulance did not stop and the driver was fined the equivalent of £575.
“He was able to pay it off and move on with his life but we can’t.
“Justice not served.”
Dorset senior coroner Brendan Allen said Kenyan authorities had provided “very limited” information about the incident on March 13 last year.
The evidence obtained was a post-mortem examination report and a brief statement from the Office of the Inspector General of the National Police Service.
About the incident it said: “On March 13, 2025 at 12.30 pm, a road traffic accident occurred on Ngong Road, Nairobi.
“When Mr Riches was crossing the road a Toyota Prado belonging to the Ministry of the Interior approached the designated pedestrian crossing.
“The pedestrian suffered fatal injuries.
“The government investigation reviewed CCTV footage and determined that the collision was primarily caused by the driver failing to yield to the pedestrian and traveling at an excessive speed considering the location and road conditions.
“The driver was charged with causing death by dangerous driving and appeared before the court magistrate on March 15, 2025.
“He pleaded guilty and was fined 100,000 Kenyan shillings (£575).”
Mr Riches’ post-mortem revealed that he died from “multiple-trauma” injuries, including severe blunt force trauma to the head and chest “consistent with a pedestrian and motor vehicle incident”.
Recording a finding that Mr Riches died in a road traffic collision, Mr Allen said: “There are always difficulties in obtaining evidence from outside jurisdictions.
“Some countries are more forthcoming than others and for Mr Riches we have a post mortem report and a report in relation to the prosecution and outcome.
“We have very limited details in relation to the circumstances but I think there is enough to allow me to conclude the inquiry today.
“Mr Riches was crossing at a designated pedestrian crossing and the driver of a motor vehicle failed to yield and was driving at excessive speed.
“It was as a result of these facts that Mr Riches was attacked and suffered injuries which resulted in his death on 13 March 2025.”
Tributes followed the death of Mr Riches, who was described as “a quiet and unassuming but quite remarkable man”.
Ann Stribley, chairman of the Poole Conservative Association (PCA), who knew Mr Riches for almost 50 years as treasurer and trustee, said: “He was quite a remarkable man, there aren’t many like him nowadays, but quiet and polite and just lived life.”
“He was very dedicated to working for other people and the community, and doing things he thought should be done, which is why he was really in Africa.”
Mr Riches was from the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (Cafod), who said he was an “inspirational gentleman”.
Simon Giaurchi, of Cafod Plymouth & South West, said: “We were incredibly saddened to hear of the death of Edgar Riches, an inspirational gentleman who tirelessly raised funds for Cafod for decades.
“He was tireless in organizing hundreds of charity events year after year (including the one just days before his visit to Nairobi).
“Edgar was a kind and remarkable man who will be greatly missed.
“Through his Poole parish, his efforts to help tackle injustice and inequality around the world continue to make a difference in the many communities living in poverty.”
