Joy as child is reunited with relatives after losing parents in accident
Grief-stricken world record holder Tegla Loroupe and family members of the late Robert Matana and Stella Ebei at the Nakuru Level Five Hospital where they were reunited with the couple's baby, four-year-old Angela Chasis. Nation on March 9, 2016 ran a story seeking information about the child's kin after she was brought to the hospital by well-wishers. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
The child's parents were travelling back to their home in Kapenguria from Nairobi where they had participated in the First Lady's marathon.
The couple’s relatives travelled from Kapenguria to Nakuru’s Level Five Hospital where the child was admitted.
Her parents were part of a group that was led by former marathon world record holder Tegla Loroupe.
It was tears of joy for the grief-stricken relatives of four-year-old Angela Chisis on Wednesday evening after they were reunited with her following a fatal road accident on Sunday night that killed seven people, including her parents.
It has emerged that her parents were travelling back to their home in Kapenguria from Nairobi where they had travelled to take part in the Beyond Zero Campaign Half Marathon spearheaded by the First Lady Margaret Kenyatta.
The couple’s relatives travelled from Kapenguria to Nakuru’s Level Five Hospital where the child was admitted after Nation ran a story Tuesday seeking information about her family after she was brought to the hospital by well-wishers.
Baby Angela Chisis, who turns five in a month’s time, was one of the survivors of the accident that claimed seven lives after a Kitale bound North Rift shuttle collided with a truck at the Ngata bridge, just before Nakuru town.
She suffered a fractured leg and head injuries but doctors say she is in a stable condition.
Angelis Chisis, who survived the Sunday night accident that claimed seven lives, receives treatment at the Nakuru Level Five Hospital on March 8, 2016. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP
EMOTIONAL REUNION
A sombre mood filled ward 14 at the Nakuru Level Five Hospital where the child has been admitted since the accident as family and friends who had travelled from Kapenguria paid her a visit.
Her parents were part of a group that was led by former marathon world record holder Tegla Loroupe.
The former runner who was among the group that visited the child Tuesday broke down after seeing her on a hospital bed.
The child’s father, the late Mr Robert Matanda was one of the reformed warriors who was working under the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation in Kapenguria.
Mr Protus Wanyama, the child’s uncle, said the family had identified bodies of Mr Robert Matanda and his wife Mrs Stella Ebei.
“We received a call from a family friend on Tuesday evening of news circulating of an accident that had happened on Sunday. We tried contacting my brother but his phone was switched off. His wife’s phone was on but went unanswered,” said Mr Wanyama.
Speaking at the Nakuru Level Five Hospital, Ms Loroupe said Mr Matanda was in her team that took part in the Sunday Half Marathon.
“Matanda has taken part in peace keeping forums in various parts of the country which include Tana River, Kapedo and Nadome,” she said.
Ms Lorroupe said that on Sunday, Mr Matana was in an unusual gloomy mood.
“He always called to inform me what is going on within the borders but on Sunday I was bothered he did not call until late. I thought he was tired and would call the following day,” said Ms Loroupe as she broke in to tears.
Ms Loroupe said his death was a big blow to the reformed warriors working under her foundation referring to him as one of the foundation’s spokesperson and a resourceful person to the government.
Also present was Ms Sally Barsosio, the youngest ever medallist at the World Junior Championships.
Seven people died on the spot after the speeding trailer lost control and rammed into the North Rift shuttle that was headed in the opposite direction.
