A UK coroner’s investigation has concluded that the death of 78-year-old British national Edgar Riches was an avoidable tragedy caused by the recklessness of a driver in President William Ruto’s motorcade.
Riches, a dedicated charity worker who was raising funds for a school in East Africa at the time, died after a government vehicle struck him on March 13, 2025. The fatal incident occurred as he navigated a pedestrian crossing along Nairobi’s Ngong Road, a designated zone marked by black and white stripes where foot traffic typically holds the right of way.
Dorset Senior Coroner Brendan Allen presented evidence showing that Riches was lawfully crossing the street when the high-impact collision occurred. The force of the strike caused severe polytrauma injuries, leading to his death. While the investigation reached a clear conclusion regarding the driver’s actions, Allen noted the logistical hurdles involved in gathering information from international authorities.
“There are always difficulties in obtaining evidence from outside jurisdictions. Some countries are more forthcoming than others,” Allen said as he released his findings.
The coroner revealed that the driver of the white Toyota Prado failed to stop after striking Riches, choosing instead to maintain pace with the high-speed motorcade. This detail highlighted the driver’s disregard for the victim as the convoy continued its journey. The investigation faced significant obstacles, ultimately relying on a narrow set of evidence that included a post-mortem report and a concise statement from the Office of the Inspector General of the National Police Service, which officers prepared following a review of CCTV footage.
Securing even these basic facts proved to be an arduous task for the UK authorities. The coroner described the process of obtaining specific details about the moments leading to Riches’ death as a persistent struggle rather than a straightforward inquiry. Despite these gaps in international cooperation, the available evidence allowed the coroner to piece together the events of the fatal collision.
The legal proceedings in Kenya concluded swiftly on March 15, 2025, when the driver of the Ministry of Interior Prado appeared in court. After entering a guilty plea, the driver paid a Sh100,000 fine and walked free, effectively closing the case. This rapid resolution sparked immediate condemnation from Riches’ daughter, Pauline Olden, who criticized the justice system for its handling of her father’s death.
Ms. Olden pointed out that her father was finishing his annual charity walk – a tradition he maintained to support a country he deeply loved – when the vehicle struck him at a designated safety zone. She questioned the humanity of the security detail, expressing disbelief that the numerous police cars and the ambulance within the motorcade ignored her father as he lay groaning in pain on the tarmac.
The high-impact collision caused fatal injuries to the 78-year-old’s head and chest, leading to his death at the scene.
A retired bank manager from Poole, Dorset, Riches was a well-known philanthropist who frequently visited Kenya to see family. He dedicated much of his time to raising funds for the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (Cafod), often organizing social events to support various charitable causes.
