Church elder stung by bees at Kirinyaga funeral discharged after a week

A 60-year-old church elder at ACK St. Luke Wang'uru church in Kirinyaga County who has been in hospital for seven days following the December 10 incident where mourners were attacked by a swarm of bees at a funeral in Huduma, Mwea has been discharged.

Speaking after he was discharged from Mwea Mission Hospital Karira on Wednesday, Simon Waweru said he was unconscious as he was being rushed to the hospital.

“It took me five hours to know where I was. At first, I saw my daughter crying and wondered where I was,” Waweru said.

He said he did not know bees could be that dangerous and hostile.

Several people, including members of the clergy, fled the burial of Faith Murigu, a retired teacher in the bee attack.

“We had just come from a service at our church and as we were about to begin the burial, the bees attacked us, forcing us to run for safety,” Waweru narrated.

Waweru said he is now out of danger.

Several mourners were rushed to the hospital after the incident and were later discharged the same day; only Mr Waweru had been in hospital since.

The burial ceremony still took place later that night after mourners lit tyres to keep away the bees.