Family of five killed in Gilgil crash appeals for help to meet funeral costs

A sombre mood has engulfed Kitare Village in Seme sub-county, Kisumu, as relatives of the five family members who perished in a Sunday night road accident at Kikopéy, Gilgil, along the Nakuru–Nairobi Highway come to terms with the tragic loss.

Family members and relatives gathered at the home as they recounted the last moments they shared with their loved ones following a burial ceremony last Saturday.

The accident claimed the lives of a couple, two minors, and a sister-in-law, with the family having returned home for another funeral.

Grace Akech Juma, who lost her sister, Rose Benter Raila, in the accident, says the family is still in shock and devastated by the loss.

"Walikuja kwa matanga kushuhudia mahali mama yao alilala. Baada ya hiyo wakamaliza wiki moja nyumbani, wakaamua kurudi nyumbani. Sasa walitoka saa kumi na mbili jioni wakisafiri wakienda Nairobi," Grace said.

Benter's brother, Maurice Agutu, added, "Madaktari walikuwa wanataka Ksh.100,000 for watu watano post-mortem ifanyike alafu body recreation... yaani body ilikuwa imebondeka waweke body yao ikue vizuri, pia walikuwa wanataka around Ksh.12,000. Plus, the body bag to carry those bodies to the nearest mortuary to the home."

As the family grapples with the loss, relatives are appealing for support from well-wishers to help them through the difficult period.

"We are just requesting that well-wishers may join us. We appreciate whatever they are going to do, whichever contributions they are going to give us, whichever prayers they are going to offer to the entire family of Olam, entire family of Raila, we thank them," relative Fredrick Onyango Obia said.

The family says the tragedy has come at a difficult time, having only recently laid another relative to rest.

"Tumekuwa na msiba hapo awali, majuma mawili yaliyopita na ilitugharimu pesa mingi sana ambayo sasa hatuko vizuri sana, hatuko vizuri sana kifedha," said relative Henry Otieno Obia.

The five were killed in a Sunday night road accident at Kikopey area in Gilgil, Nakuru County, along the Nakuru-Naivasha highway.

Gilgil sub-county Police Commander Winstone Mwakio confirmed that the incident occurred after a saloon car carrying 6 occupants collided head-on with a bus belonging to Easy Coach company.

The bus was heading towards Nakuru, while the private vehicle was travelling towards Nairobi.