Hundreds of mourners Tuesday paid their last respects to the six family members who perished in a tragic road accident that happened along Mai Mahiu- Naivasha road last week.
The six were among seven people who had attended a memorial service for one of their loved ones in Naivasha when their vehicle rammed into a lorry claiming their lives on the spot.
The collision claimed the lives of four children three being two sisters and a brother, their father, and two of his brothers, leaving a devastating loss that threw their Kamithu village in Limuru into a one-week mourning.
The seven were laid to rest at their home in Eburu Village in Gilgil
They included a businessman who is the father of three Francis Kirubi, aged 43 years, his daughters Fidelis Muturi aged 15, Catherine Muturi (12), Vitalic James Kirubi (8).
Others are Muturi's brothers Peter Kirubi, aged 41 years, and George Kirubi, aged 25 years.
The presiding Bishop Paul Wandati Kabue and other clergy eulogised the brothers as God-fearing, hardworking, and obedient.
They urged the family to remain calm and urged relatives and friends to support the children who have been left behind in their education and upkeep.
"This is an incident that has shocked many people from all walks of life, including government officials and the church. But this is a storm that we need to only look upon God for where our help comes from," said Bishop Wandati.
He added, "When Job of the Bible was tempted beyond his faith, he remained calm, and at the end, he saw God, who overcame for him. I believe that God shall overcome this kind of accident for us."
The burial was attended by political leaders, among them legislators led by Limuru MP John Kiragu, Jane Kihara (Naivasha), Martha Wangari (Gilgil), Nakuru Women Representative Liza Chelule, former Kiambu Speaker and Juja MP Stephen Ndichu, former Limuru MP Peter Mwathi, and Kikuyu MP aspirant Stephen Kigathi.
However, the politicians were gagged from addressing the crowd for fear of emotive speeches following the current political waves in the country. Only four sitting MPs addressed the crowd, including Kiragu, Wangari, Kihara, and Chelule.
MP Kiragu said, "I have not seen such a burial of six people before, but I pray that this family continues loving God for strength. I urge everyone to continue praying and supporting this family.”
He added, "Muturi's mother and wife have been sick, but they shall overcome because they have been special people bound by family love. But we have decided to have a meeting tomorrow as Limuru people to deliberate how we shall assist the family."
Kiragu thanked the Bunge fellowship and President William Ruto for raising Sh1 million shillings that has assisted in burial preparations.
At the same time, the three MPs who addressed the mourners together with other stakeholders, called upon the government to fast track the construction and expansion of the Rironi-Mau Summit Highway to a dual carriage.
They said the proposed 10-lane highway will go a long way in curbing accidents and ensuring road safety.
While echoing the MPs sentiments, Edward Gitonga, chairman of Speedgovernors and Road Safety Association, called upon the president and responsible government departments, including the National Transport and Safety Association (NTSA), to hasten construction of the road.
He also condemned lorry drivers and long-distance transit companies for not observing traffic rules and for failing to have their lorries inspected by NTSA, saying they have been a major cause of deaths on the roads.
"The government should become responsible. We have so many roads that are in pathetic condition. It should also embrace digital space and install cameras along the roads to monitor speed and careless driving to curb accidents," Gitonga said.
He added, "The president should ensure that we are responsible in our respective public jobs. The attitude of the drivers, especially the lorry drivers, has been a menace. They have not been going for inspection. This has led to the death of many, a great number being young people."
In what was seen as a lightful moment, Kihara called the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who addressed the gathering on her mobile phone loudspeaker.
Gachagua expressed his deep-felt sympathies to the family and the people of Limuru and Naivasha.
He also excused himself for not being able to attend the burial, citing fear of being attacked by alleged goons.
"You know I am currently on the watch because they are sending goons to harass us even in places of worship; that's why I could not attend," Gachagua said.
