British charity worker killed by Kenyan president’s motorcade during sponsored walk

A British charity worker attending a sponsored march was knocked down and killed by the Kenyan President’s ‘speeding’ motorcade, an inquest heard today.

Edgar Riches, 78, was at a pedestrian crossing nearing the end of his charity walk when the VIP support vehicle ‘failed to yield’ and sped past.

The convoy taking President William Ruto to a public meeting in Nairobi at the time did not stop to offer assistance to Mr Riches.

The retired bank manager, from Poole, Dorset, suffered serious head and chest injuries in the collision and died instantly.

He had gone to the African country to see his sister and nephew and to raise money to sponsor the construction of an orphanage or school in Africa.

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 in a Kenyan court but was spared prison and instead received a fine equivalent to £575.

Today Mr Riches’ daughter Pauline Olden said ‘justice was not served’ at the inquest.

He said: “My dad was on the final stretch of his annual charity walk to raise money for the country he loved to visit.

“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 it off 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 incident on March 13 last year.

The evidence taken included an autopsy report and a brief statement from the Inspector General of the National Police Service.

Regarding the incident, he said: “A traffic accident occurred on Nairobi Ngong Road at 12.30pm on 13 March 2025.

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

“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 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 March 15, 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 for Mr Riches we have an autopsy report and a report on the prosecution and outcome.

“We have very limited details about the circumstances, but I think there is enough 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 injuries that killed him.”

Tributes were paid following his death to Mr Riches, who was described 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 weren’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 were 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 the Poole congregation will continue to make a difference for many communities living in poverty.”