Kahiga village in Kandara subcounty, Murang’a, was on Wednesday overwhelmed by grief as thousands of mourners gathered to bid farewell to 16 family members who lost their lives in a tragic road accident on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
The sleepy village, which rarely hosts large gatherings, was turned into a scene of sorrow as residents, relatives, and leaders joined hands in mourning. At the Kahiga Catholic Church, hundreds filled the pews, while many more huddled under trees, relying on loudspeakers to follow the interdenominational service.
In a nearby tent, emotions spilled over when some relatives were informed of the deaths for the first time. Heart-wrenching screams filled the air, with some family members collapsing in shock as others tried to console them.
Church leaders revealed that a burial budget of Sh4.2 million had been prepared, a figure that the affected families could not meet on their own. A common burial plan was agreed upon, with bodies scheduled to be transported to their respective ancestral homes for final rites.
Out of the 16, five will be laid to rest in Kahiga village, one in Mairi village, one in Nyeri county, three in Kangui village, two in Gacharage, and three in Naivasha, Nakuru county.
The appeal for support has attracted national attention. The First Lady donated Sh2 million, while Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro contributed Sh300,000 and Kandara MP Chege Njuguna added Sh200,000. Other leaders and well-wishers also pledged support to ease the burden on the grieving families.
As the village prepares for the mass burial, the tragedy has highlighted the devastating impact of road accidents on Kenyan families and the importance of community solidarity in times of immense loss.
