Kisumu: The burial of 26 people who perished in a road accident in Kisumu is scheduled for Saturday, August 16, at Koguta village in Nyakach. A committee overseeing the arrangements is working closely with the affected families to ensure the interment programme runs smoothly.
According to Kenya News Agency, the government has taken over the entire programme and will cover costs such as mortuary bills, coffins, transport, and medical expenses for the 26 survivors admitted to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH). A requiem mass for the victims will be held on Thursday at Naki AIC Church in Nyakach. The bodies will then be transferred to Koguta on Friday for a night vigil.
The burial ceremony is set for Naki Primary School on Saturday, after which families will proceed to bury their loved ones. While acknowledging the government’s support, committee chairman Eng Vincent Kodera announced that a KCB pay bill number (8010747) has been opened to raise funds for the bereaved. The pay bill is intended to help support the families during the mourning period and beyond.
The tragedy has deeply affected the close-knit community, with many families impacted. South East Nyakach MCA Lumumba Owade highlighted that the fund had received significant contributions, including Sh1 million from former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. He encouraged Kenyans to donate to aid the families during this challenging time.
Nyakach parliamentary aspirant Dr. Joanes Atella described the incident as one of the worst tragedies in the area in decades. He emphasized the need for long-term support for affected families, including restoring livelihoods, reviving businesses, and ensuring that children do not drop out of school due to the tragedy.
Dr. Atella also mentioned plans for interdenominational prayer sessions to seek divine protection for the area. Upper Nyakach Assistant County Commissioner Dawin Orina assured residents of adequate security personnel deployment to ensure the smooth running of the burial programme. He urged calm and reassured the community that the government would provide additional financial support to the affected families.