- An accident on the Nakuru-Nairobi Highway in Kikopey killed eight people
- Emotions ran high as families gathered at the mortuary to identify and view the bodies of their loved ones
- Anne Gatika, the widow of the matatu driver involved in the accident, revealed that their last phone conversation was just a few hours before the accident
The death toll in the Kikopey accident has increased to eight after one more person died from his injuries.
Source: Youtube
A cloud of grief hung over the Gilgil Sub-County Hospital Mortuary as family and friends gathered to identify the bodies of their loved ones.
However, the three families of those who died in the multi-vehicle accident have yet to identify their relatives, with reports indicating that two of the victims were military officers.
The family of Samuel Kariuki, the driver of one of the three involved in the accident, recognized his body, leaving them in shock and great sadness.
What did the victim of the Kikopey accident talk about before he died?
His beloved wife, Anne Gatika, revealed that she first saw pictures of the accident on Facebook and immediately knew it was bad.
“I don’t even have words to say. I’ve been in a state of shock since yesterday. Everything was broken, it was so painful,” he said, struggling to hold back tears.
Anne shared that they had only spoken a few hours before the accident, not thinking that it would be their last conversation.
“I called him earlier that morning, but he didn’t pick up the phone. He called me when I was already at work, but I told him our little son wanted to talk to him. After that, he didn’t come back online,” said the widow, her voice full of sadness.
Also present at the St Mary’s Mission Hospital mortuary was the family of an 18-year-old form three student, James Karanja, who sadly died in the accident.
His grieving grandfather, James Ngugi, shared that the boy had visited him for a few days and was returning home to Kikopey to go to school.
“He hadn’t come to school yet, but he was supposed to go on Monday. Now, he won’t get that chance,” said a mourner.
How did the Kikopey accident happen?
The fatal accident involved three vehicles: two matatus heading towards Nairobi and a trailer that was heading towards it Nakuru.
The trailer reportedly lost control and collided with PSV vehicles, hitting one after the other as it veered off the road.
Wilstone Mwakio, Gilgil Sub-County Police Commander, confirmed that five people died at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment on the same day.
The death toll has now risen to eight, while a few others remain in hospital receiving treatment.
Did the principal of Nakuru die in the Kikopey accident?
In related news, TUKO.co.ke reported that Hellen Mutindi, head teacher of Thugunui Primary School, died in the Kikopey accident.
His friends used social media, recalling their last conversation and describing the type of person he was.
Mutindi was remembered as a dedicated and influential teacher who carried out her daily school leadership duties before her life was tragically cut short.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
