Family’s agony ends as Garissa attack victim finally laid to rest in Kitui

Mourners bid final farewell to Risper Mutindi Kasyoka (right), a victim of the April Garissa University attack, on November 28, 2015. This ended the family's agony of looking for Risper's body for over six months. PHOTOS | THOMAS WAITA & FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • After months of agony, the family was informed that Risper’s body had been buried in Itivanzou Village, Kyuso, in Kitui County.
  • It had been wrongly identified as that of Philomena Kasyoka, another Garissa attack victim.
  • Hundreds of emotional mourners from Kitui County and beyond Saturday gathered in Maluma Village in Kitui East to bid final farewell to Risper.
  • Those who spoke at the burial ceremony condemned acts of terror which claimed Kasyoka’s life, among many others.

There was an air of joy and grief in Kitui Saturday as the family of Risper Mutindi Kasyoka, who died in a terror attack at Garissa University College was finally laid to rest.

The family had been looking for Risper’s body since the attack that happened on April 2, 2015.

After months of agony, the family was informed that Risper’s body had been buried in Itivanzou Village, Kyuso, in Kitui County, having been wrongly identified as that of Philomena Kasyoka, another Garissa attack victim.

The body was exhumed and DNA tests confirmed it was that of Risper.

Hundreds of emotional mourners from Kitui County and beyond Saturday gathered in Maluma Village in Kitui East to bid final farewell to Risper.

Many of those present termed the send-off as a relief since Risper’s family had, for six months, been unable to trace her body which was wrongly buried at Itivanzou village in Mwingi North by Philomena’s family.

The remains were exhumed on October 17 and taken to Mwingi Level Four Hospital mortuary for DNA tests which eventually confirmed the body to be Risper’s.

Police, while investigating the whereabouts of Risper’s body, had established that the two terror attack victims shared the name Kasyoka, hence a possible identity mix-up of the bodies at the Chiromo Mortuary in Nairobi.

Eulogising his daughter, Kasyoka’s father, Mr Isaac Mutua Mutisya said they had almost given up hope of ever finding their daughter’s body until police investigations in August established that she had been mistakenly buried in Mwingi.

“It seemed impossible to find my daughter’s body after searching for months without success. It was a huge relief for us to finally locate the body after the prolonged, agonising search,” he said.

He added: “We are happy that we will finally lay her to rest at her own home.”

Ms Lydia Taabu Mutua, Risper Kasyoka’s step-sister, described the deceased as the best friend she has ever had.

“I will forever cherish memories of the moments we shared with my late sister Risper who was more of a friend than a sister,” she said tearfully, adding that Kasyoka’s untimely demise left an indelible emptiness in their hearts.

Kasyoka’s mother Mrs Mary Mutua, who sobbed throughout the burial ceremony, was too grieved to eulogise her departed daughter but chose to pay her last respect silently.

Moreover, the family lauded the national and Kitui County governments, the Kenya Police Service and the media for their input in tracing the body of their loved one.

SURVIVORS TELL OF ATTACK

Two survivors of the Garissa University College terror attack present recounted how they helplessly watched their colleagues die by the gun.

Hellen Titus, who was Risper Kasyoka’s roommate, recalled how the two hid themselves inside a wardrobe before the attackers uncovered their hideout.

“We started praying as sounds of successive gunshots filled the air. The attackers finally found us and ordered us out of the wardrobe promising they would let us go. They shot at us on coming out. They killed Risper while I was shot twice,” she narrated.

Geoffrey Ongeri said that he was lucky to escape death that ill-fated day although he was shot once in the arm.

“We heard gunshots before the terrorists stormed into our hostel.

“I was shot in the arm and had to crawl on my stomach to the back of the hostel before escaping to safety.

“It pains me to bid farewell to my friend and colleague today,” the survivor, who was a students’ leader at the college, said.

Those who spoke at the burial ceremony condemned acts of terror which claimed Kasyoka’s life, among many others, and urged the state to protect its citizens.

Kitui Governor Julius Malombe urged Kenya’s security agencies to be alert and treat intelligence reports with utmost urgency in order to prevent terror attacks.

“Security agencies should promptly act on security threats to forestall similar attacks on innocent Kenyans in future,” he noted.

Dr Malombe also said there is need for the national government to involve devolved units in matters of national security.

His sentiments were shared by Kitui East MP Mr Marcus Muluvi and Nzambani Ward MCA Mr Robinson Mativo, among other leaders, in their address to the mourners.