Double tragedy as father recounts death of second daughter in KU bus accident

Families, leaders, friends and students converged on Sunday at the Kenyatta University graduation square to honour the 11 students who lost their lives in a tragic accident last Monday on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.

Grief overwhelmed the father of one of the 11 victims who has now lost both of his daughters through two separate road accidents.

While paying tribute to his daughter, Oslo Mwendwa, the father mentioned that this loss is the second one since last year.

He recalled the death of his other daughter who also lost her life in a tragic road accident on Kiambu Road.

"One year ago, I stood before a congregation like this at Ridgeways Baptist Church on Kiambu Road to mourn the passing of my daughter, Mitchelle, through a tragic road accident. On that day, Oslo was beside me as the only beacon of hope. Today, her brother stands before me as the family pays tribute to Oslo. Our hearts are full of pain and grief as we try to come to terms with the sudden death of Oslo," he said.

The father expressed that the loss of his 21-year-old daughter has shattered the family completely as she departed too soon, with still much left to accomplish.

A screengrab of the late Oslo Mwendwa's father and brother during the memorial at the Kenyatta University graduation square on March 24, 2014.

"It is really hard to accept that your journey on earth has ended. To think that we will never talk with you again, that we will not have our day-to-day conversations. It's too much," he added.

Heartfelt tribute

He further described Oslo's spirit as radiating warmth and compassion, touching the lives of all fortunate enough to cross her path.

"Her kindness knew no bounds, her boldness was truly inspiring as she fearlessly stood for what she believed in and never backed away from a challenge or shied from speaking the truth," he said.

“Her gentle words and comforting presence were a beacon of hope in times of darkness. Her courage ignited fires of change, empowering all those around her to stand tall and be assertive.”

He added that kindness, unity, boldness and smile will continue to inspire them and generations to come.

The others who perished from the university's School of Public Health include; Navile Omondi Opiyo, Beneas Otieno, Hellen Mbula Kisilu, Michael Muteti, Vallary Akinyi Ouma, Felix Gori Nyaata, Austine Omondi Owino, Rodger Kiprotich Rono, John Mbiriri Mureithi and Patricia Murugi Mwangi.

The late Oslo Mwendwa. (Photo: Handout)

The bodies of the 11 were transported to Kenyatta University Hospital Morgue where they are preserved awaiting burial.

Other leaders who joined the memorial service include First Lady Rachel Ruto, Education CS Ezekiel Machogu, Higher Education and Research PS Beatrice Inyangala, KU Vice Chancellor Paul Wainaina, and Chairman of the KU Council Ben Chumo among others.

Rachel Ruto who is also an alumni of KU, mourned the departed souls as shining examples to their peers and sources of pride and joy to their families and communities.

“They were bright students full of potential, eager to learn, graduate and go out to concur the world,” she said.

She added that President William Ruto had donated Sh2 million to support the bereaved families.

CS Machogu noted that most accidents would be avoided if the drivers were extra careful on the roads.

“Almost 56 per cent of the accidents on our roads are avoidable and most of them occur because of human error. We are asking our drivers and all of us to be very cautious on the road,” he said.

He emphasized that they will implement strict measures to curb such accidents on the roads.