Requiem mass for bus crash victims to be held in Kakamega

A requiem mass for 31 people from Kakamega County who perished in the bus crash in Kericho County last week will be held on Wednesday.

A programme prepared by the county government indicates that the funeral service will be held at the Amalemba grounds from 9am.

Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said the county government will meet mortuary charges and also provide coffins.

On Monday, Mr Oparanya met with county executives and other officials who briefed him on the preparations.

MOST VICTIMS

Kakamega County lost the highest number of people who were travelling in the bus when the crash occurred at Fort Ternan.

Arrangements have been made for hearses to transport the bodies and buses for relatives who will attend the funeral service.

Dr Dickson Muchana, a consultant pathologist at the Kakamega County Referral Hospital, said preparations had been finalised for collection of the bodies.

The bus crashed at Tunnel on the Londiani-Muhoroni road.

Witnesses said the crash, which left 58 people dead and 15 others injured, happened after the bus veered off the road and plunged into a gorge.

READY FOR COLLECTION

“The bodies at the morgue are ready for collection for burial by the families,” said Dr Muchana.

A Molo court on Friday allowed police to detain the owner and manager of the ill-fated bus for 10 days as investigations continue.

Chief Magistrate Samuel Wahome allowed an application by the police that sought for more time to hold Mr Cleophas Shimanyula and Mr Bernard Shitiabayi Ishindu.

Mr Shimanyula, the owner of the Home Boyz bus and Mr Ishindu, the Western Crossroads Sacco manager, were arrested on Wednesday following the fatal crash.

The bus, which was heading to Kakamega from Nairobi, veered off the road and rolled several times.