- Kenya mourned many tragedies that brought the community together amid heavy losses since the beginning of 2025
- Important incidents include the bus accidents in Kisumu and Kodada which claimed the lives of several people and sparked national debates
- The deaths of prominent people including former prime minister Raila Odinga and teacher Albert Ojwang increased the country’s grief and the role of the police in protecting citizens
The year 2025 has witnessed a series of tragedies that plunged the country into mourning and left several families in grief.
Source: Facebook
These events united the nation and fueled debates about their causes.
In almost all cases, county and national governments intervened to comfort bereaved families and investigate the situation, especially in accidents.
Although the investigation has stopped in some accident investigations, several murder cases are continuing in court.
What disasters shook the country in 2025?
1. Funeral accident in Kisumu: 26 relatives killed
On August 8, a tragedy occurred when the AIC Naki Secondary School bus, which was carrying mourners from Nyahera to Nyakach, Poisonouscollided with the Copitic Criterion.
Source: Facebook
26 people died, while others were hospitalized.
On August 16, 22 victims from the same clan were buried after a joint funeral service in Nyakach Koguta.
The seven-month-old survived the accident, and his mother named him Miracle, saying his survival was through God’s intervention.
2. Kodada: 10 people killed in an accident
On December 14, 10 relatives returning from a wedding at Sichirai SDA Church in Kakamega died in an accident on Kisii-Kisumu Road in Kodada.
Their car was crushed by a speeding truck transporting cement, splitting its side. The victims included the bride’s two parents and three close relatives.
The bride, Haileen Kemunto, told TUKO.co.ke that she was waiting for them for dinner, unaware of the tragedy. The survivors were admitted to the Rachuonyo County Referral Hospital.
3. Kikopey road accident: 13 lives were lost
On 28 September, 13 people died in a horrific accident near Kikopey, Gilgil, on the Nakuru-Nairobi Road. Only three passengers survived the accident.
CCTV footage showed three of 14 people colliding head-on with a truck while it was passing.
County Police Commander Nakuru Emmanuel Opuru confirmed that the matatu had been rented for a family celebration.
4. AMREF Mwihoko plane crash
On August 7, an AMREF Flying Doctors plane crashed near Mwihoko Secondary School in Kiambu county, scattering pieces in a residential area.
Source: UGC
The plane had left Wilson Airport heading for Hargeisa, Somalia.
Six people died, including two residents and four crew: Captain Brian Kimani, Captain Muthuka Munuve, Dr. Charles Mugo Njoroge, and Nurse Jane Omusula.
One of the residents was killed he was recovering at his home after surviving a fatal road accident.
Omusula’s family painfully explained how his death hurt them, because she was reliable and a compassionate woman.
5. Plane crash in Kwale: 11 people perished
On 28 October, a Mombasa Air Safari plane crashed in Tsimba, Kwale, killing 11.
The plane, which was operating as RRV203 from Diani to Kichwa Tembo, caught fire after the collision.
The victims included eight Hungarians, two Germans, and one Kenyan pilot.
6. Landslides Kerio Valley: More than 30 people died
In November, heavy rains caused landslides, falling rocks, and flash floods in the Kerio Valley, killing at least 30 people.
Villages in Marakwet East and West were destroyed after debris and large rocks were dragged through houses and fields.
Primary Education Secretary General Julius Bitok confirmed that 14 students were among the victims in Marakwet East, adding that 28 schools were directly affected, disrupting studies when the KCSE examinations began.
7. Deaths of a religious group in Binzaro
In August, another religious group emerged in Kilifi, commemorating the Shakahola massacre of 2023. Followers were reportedly ordered to fast to death as part of a belief in the end of the world.
Children were targeted first, followed by women and men.
Police exhumed 34 bodies and found 102 human remains. Inspector General Douglas Kanja confirmed the arrest of 11 suspects responsible for the deaths.
Which leaders died in 2025?
8. The sudden death of Raila Odinga
On October 15, Kenya was plunged into mourning after the sudden death of former prime minister Raila Odinga in Kerala, India.
Source: Facebook
He suffered a heart attack during a morning walk while recuperating in an eye hospital.
Efforts to save his life hit rock bottom. He was buried within 72 hoursas he wanted.
His death caused tension within ODM, with reports from insiders planning to sell the party to President William Ruto.
9. Cyrus Jirongo’s death accident
Former Minister and former Member of Parliament for Lugari Cyrus Jirongo died in a road accident in Karai, Naivasha, on 13 December.
A few hours before that, he had attended a meeting in Karen with the Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula.
His family asked how he drove to Naivasha when he was expected to go to his home in Gigiri.
In the middle of the discussion, the investigating soldiers found outa CCTV footage showing his last time at a petrol station, where he was tracked by Probox affiliated with Nakuru MCA.
An inquest is underway ahead of his funeral on December 30.
10. Charles Ong’ondo Were who was shot
April 30, former Member of Parliament for Kasipul Charles Ong’ondo Were was shot near City Mortuary shortly after leaving parliament.
An autopsy revealed multiple gunshot wounds to his vital organs, including the lungs and liver.
Several suspects were arrested, including his bodyguard and former parliamentary candidate Philip Aroko, who was later acquitted and turned state witness.
While the investigation into his death continues, one of the The suspects threatened to kill the prosecutor for opposing their bail.
11. The controversial death of Albert Ojwang
On June 8, X teacher and activist Albert Ojwang was reported dead at the Central Police Station, Nairobia few hours after he was arrested from his home in Kokwanyo, Homa Bay county.
Source: Facebook
He was alleged to have made a post linking Assistant Chief Inspector Eliud Lagat to corruption.
After his death, the country rose in protestdemanding justice. The protest led Lagat to step aside to allow the investigation to continue.
An autopsy revealed blunt force injuries consistent with torture. The protests continued and several officers were arrested. Recently, the court decided that there was no evidence he died in the police station.
Holiday accidents on December 23
Last time, as the year came to an end, the National Transportation and Safety Authority (NTSA) reported that 25 people died in 16 road accidents in 12 counties on December 23 alone.
The affected areas included Kakamega, Kiambu, Nyeri, Nakuru, and Nairobi counties.
Authorities said the offenses included driving unfit vehicles on the road, carrying more passengers, vehicles without a license, and driving while intoxicated. More than 40 drivers were also arrested.
To reduce road deaths, NTSA asked all road users to use extra caution and observe traffic rules during the festive period.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
