13 Mai Mahiu tragedy victims buried in Nakuru, 37 still missing

Emotions ran high in Mai Mahiu, Nakuru County, as 13 of the 61 people who died last week following the dam tragedy were laid to rest.

Tears flowed freely as relatives and friends tried to come to terms with the death of their loved ones, with 37 people still missing after the incident.

Out of the 13 people buried in different locations, three were minors, with families of those still missing calling on the government to support them in retrieving their bodies.

The joint memorial service was held at Kamucira village a few kilometres from the scene of the incident which occurred Monday last week before each family retreated to their homes to bury their kin.

The service came a day after the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua led leaders in a requiem mass where each of the affected families received between Ksh.150,000 and Ksh.200,000 as burial expenses.

Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara, who was at the event, reiterated that the government would continue to stand with the affected families as they started to rebuild their homes.

An emotional Kihara said that the tragedy had taken a toll on her as she tried to come to terms with the deaths of so many people including 15 minors.

She said the promise by the government to resettle those affected and construct for them houses was still in place.

“We already said that we won’t break the committee, and we are lucky because at least we have bodies to bury. I know there are those who have not found the bodies of their loved ones.  But we will continue to support you. The Deputy President gave us money to assist the orphaned children in schools and those in hospitals,” MP Kihara said.

“We will pay school fees, and the DP said we should buy uniforms for them, school shoes and books and that will be done.”

Some of the relatives of the deceased said that the tragedy would forever remain written in their hearts following the loss of family, friends, neighbours or personal defects.

According to Esther Njeri, who lost two relatives, the incident marked the darkest day for the families, many of whom were still traumatized by the harrowing ordeal.

She called on teachers to be understanding in case those minors affected by the tragedy failed to report to classes on Monday when schools reopen.

Njeri added that many of these victims require mental support due to what they went through and hopes that teachers in different schools will support them.

“It is not easy losing so many people; we know schools are supposed to be opened on Monday and it will be tough. So we ask the parents that for those children, who are still stressed, they shouldn’t be forced but should be given time to heal,” she stated.

“If it continues to rain, children should be allowed to stay at home and for the teachers, please, don’t force children to come back to school when they are still grieving.”