From petals to graves: A dark Christmas for families of Homa Bay crash victims

While the families have begun burial preparations, the bride, whose wedding they had attended, narrates how the incident turned her day from joy to immense sorrow. 

The homestead of the now deceased Richard Kebaso is active, not with preparations for the festive season, but with a more sombre occasion. They are planning to bury him alongside the late Leah Bosibori, aged 65, their uncle, William Oyaro, aunt Jane Gesare and their niece, Eshter Ondieki

These family members are part of a group that perished in a road accident last week as they made their way back home from the wedding of their daughter and relative Irene Kemunto in Kakamega

What would have been Kemunto’s first Christmas of joy as a married woman has now turned her into an orphan. It was a scenario she couldn’t have envisioned, even in her worst nightmare.

“That crash also took the lives of five other people, related to this family and from this very village of Rangenyo, Nyamira County,” Kemunto shares. 

At another home, the family of Hellen Nyatika, aged 68, and Birita Mokua, 47, who were also aboard the fateful Matatu, are digging their graves. They have to start early, as the rocky terrain makes this already hard situation even more daunting

Another family, that of George Obondi, is also facing the same task; their kin, aged 54, has left behind a young family, a widow and six children who now have to fend for themselves.

The deceased will be accorded a mass funeral service on Tuesday ahead of their individual burials at their respective homes.

Area MP Stephen Mogaka pledged the government’s support as the families seek to give them befitting send-offs.

But even as the heavy cloud of loss engulfs the village and extended families, the local leaders are urging road users to be cautious on the roads, especially this festive season. They say no family should have to go through what this village is currently experiencing as a result of road accidents.