British charity worker, 78, was killed by Kenyan President’s ‘excessively speeding’ motorcade, inquest hears

A British charity worker died after being hit by the Kenyan President’s ‘speeding’ convoy, an inquest heard on Tuesday.

Edgar Riches, 78, was in Nairobi, Kenya, to raise money to build a school in Africa when he was struck by a Toyota Prado at a pedestrian crossing.

An inquest in Dorset heard the driver of the vehicle “failed to give in” or offer assistance to the pensioner following the collision on March 13, 2025.

The VIP support vehicle was transporting President William Ruto to a public meeting in the Kenyan capital when the crash occurred.

Mr Riches, a retired bank manager, suffered devastating head and chest injuries that led to his immediate death. He was visiting his sister and niece in Africa while doing charity work.

The driver was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving following an investigation by the local police force.

He pleaded guilty in a Kenyan court but was spared prison and was instead fined the equivalent of £575.

Mr Riches’ daughter Pauline Olden said ‘justice was not served’ at this week’s inquest.

‘My father was on the final stretch of his annual charity walk to raise money for the country he loved to visit,’ he said.

‘He was tragically killed by a driver who was driving too fast while crossing a designated pedestrian crossing.

‘The police car and ambulance failed to stop and the driver was fined the equivalent of £575.

‘He was able to pay off his debt and move on with his life, but we can’t. ‘Justice was not served.’

Dorset Senior Coroner Brendan Allen said Kenyan authorities had provided ‘very limited’ information about the case.

The only evidence the investigation obtained was an autopsy report and a brief statement from the Inspector General of the National Police Service.

He said the following about the incident: ‘On March 13, 2025, at 12.30 pm, a traffic accident occurred on Nairobi Ngong Road.

‘The Home Office Toyota Prado approached the designated pedestrian crossing as Mr Riches was crossing the road. The pedestrian was fatally injured.

‘The government investigation examined CCTV footage and determined that the collision was primarily caused by the driver failing to yield to pedestrians and traveling at excessive speed given the location and road conditions.

‘The driver was charged with causing death by dangerous driving and appeared before the judge on 15 March 2025.

‘He pleaded guilty and was fined 100,000 Kenyan shillings (£575).’

Mr Riches’ autopsy revealed he died from ‘multiple trauma’ injuries, including severe head and chest blunt force trauma ‘consistent with a pedestrian and motor vehicle crash’.

Noting the conclusion that Mr Riches died in a road accident, Mr Allen said: ‘There are always difficulties in obtaining evidence from external jurisdictions.

‘Some countries are more forthcoming than others and we have an autopsy report for Mr Riches and a report on the prosecution and outcome.

‘We have very limited details of the circumstances but in my view there is sufficient information to conclude the investigation today.

‘Mr Riches was crossing a designated pedestrian crossing and the driver of the motor vehicle failed to yield and was driving at excessive speed.

‘As a result of these facts, Mr. Riches was shot on March 13, 2025 and suffered the injuries that killed him.’

A memorial service following Mr Riches’ death described him as ‘a quiet and unassuming but quite remarkable man’.

Ann Stribley, president of the Poole Conservative Association (PCA), who knew Mr Riches as treasurer and trustee for nearly 50 years, said: ‘He was quite a remarkable man, there aren’t many like him these days, but he was quiet and unassuming and got on with life.’

‘He was very dedicated to working for other people and society and what he thought needed to be done, so he was actually in Africa.’

Mr Riches worked for the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (Cafod), which said he was an ‘inspiring gentleman’.

Simon Giarchi, of Cafod Plymouth and the South West, said: ‘We are incredibly saddened to hear of the death of Edgar Riches, an inspirational gentleman who has been a relentless fundraiser for Cafod for decades.

‘He has tirelessly organized hundreds of charity events over the years (including just a few days before his trip to Nairobi).

‘Edgar was a kind and remarkable person who will be greatly missed.

‘His efforts to help fight injustice and inequality around the world through his Poole congregation will continue to make a difference for many communities living in poverty.’