Moi Girls' dorm fire victim, grandfather buried

From left: Portraits of former Moi Girls' School student Whitney Kerubo who died in a dorm inferno and her grandfather Patrick Mogusu taken on September 20, 2017. They were buried on September 22, 2017 in Nyamira County. PHOTO | BENSON MOMANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Whitney Kerubo was among the eight students who perished in a dormitory fire on September 2.
  • Her grandfather Patrick Nyangweso died at Christa Marianne Hospital where he was admitted following Kerubo's demise.

Emotions ran high as the remains of a former Moi Girls School student and her grandfather were interred at their home in Nyamira County.

Mourners trickled to Nyamburuga village to pay their final respect.

Whitney Kerubo was among the eight students who perished in a dormitory fire on September 2.

Her grandfather Patrick Nyangweso died at Christa Marianne Hospital where he was admitted following Kerubo's demise.

Relatives said that though he had been sickly, his granddaughter's death was too painful to bear.
RELIGION
Few speeches were allowed during the joint ceremony conducted by Catholic and Seventh Day Adventist Churches.

Kerubo was an SDA and her grandfather a Catholic.

She was born on June 17, 2003 and was the third born in the family of Albert Kingoina Nyangweso and Stellah Nyaboke Kingoina.

TRIBUTE

In his tribute, Mr Kingoina said: "My dear daughter Whitney, I named you Kerubo, the name of my late mother.

"You took behaviours of my late mother who was kind, loving and God fearing. Now that you are both gone never to see you again, my soul is in pain to understand why this had to happen to you."

He went on: "When we were having meals you asked me 'dad, are you satisfied?’ You also used to polish my shoes.

"I will miss you my daughter but all is well with my soul; let your soul rest in the hands of our God."

HUMBLE
Her mother Stellah described her daughter as one with a pure heart.

"Whitney, with her kindness, made those around her comfortable. There is no easy way to say goodbye but I have released you to stay with angels," she said.

LOVE

Her uncle Ezekiel Bosire Oweno said it was painful burying their loved ones.

"These are matters that we are yet to comprehend. My father just became silent on receiving the news and it is sad that he will never get to talk again," Mr Bosire said.

The preachers urged parents and children to love each other.

DECEASED

Other students who died in the arson attack were Esther Neema, Nancy Wamuthuri Thuku, Hanna Jeyso Timado, Hawa Haziz, Mary Njengo Mokaya, Alakiir Malong, Natalie Asiko and Marcia Okello.

They were sleeping in Kabarnet dormitory that housed all the Form One students.