Western leaders mourn 31 departed souls in Kakamega

Leaders from western Kenya on Wednesday held a requiem mass at Amalemba grounds in Kakamega county to mourn the 31 souls that departed as a result of a grisly accident witnessed on Wednesday October 10, 2018 at Fort Ternan in Kericho County.

The accident that involved western bound bus christened Home boyz claimed 58 lives, with 31 being from Kakamega county.

Among the leaders who attended the requiem mass are Kakamega County Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi, Bungoma County Senator Moses Masika Wetang’ula among other leaders.

Governor Wycliffe Oparanya honored his pledge which he had earlier indicated that the county government will meet mortuary charges and also provide coffins.

On Monday, Mr Oparanya met with county executives and other officials who briefed him on the preparations.

Kakamega County lost the highest number of people who were travelling in the bus when the crash occurred at Fort Ternan.

Arrangements have been made for hearses to transport the bodies and buses for relatives who will attend the funeral service.

Dr Dickson Muchana, a consultant pathologist at the Kakamega County Referral Hospital, said preparations had been finalised for collection of the bodies.

The bus crashed at Tunnel on the Londiani-Muhoroni road.

The wreckage of a bus that crashed is seen near Fort Ternan along the Londiani-Muhoroni road in Kericho county, Kenya October 10, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer

Witnesses said the crash, which left 58 people dead and 15 others injured, happened after the bus veered off the road and plunged into a gorge.

“The bodies at the morgue are ready for collection for burial by the families,” said Dr Muchana.

A Molo court on Friday allowed police to detain the owner and manager of the ill-fated bus for 10 days as investigations continue.

Chief Magistrate Samuel Wahome allowed an application by the police that sought for more time to hold Mr Cleophas Shimanyula and Mr Bernard Shitiabayi Ishindu.

Mr Shimanyula, the owner of the Home Boyz bus and Mr Ishindu, the Western Crossroads Sacco manager, were arrested on Wednesday following the fatal crash.

The bus, which was heading to Kakamega from Nairobi, veered off the road and rolled several times.

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