Catherine Rotich, the mother of one of the students who passed away in the accident that claimed the lives of 11 Kenyatta University (KU) medical students has narrated her last phone call with her son.
Speaking to the media after viewing the body of her first-born son, Rogers Rotich, Catherine said that the loss of her son had left a huge gap in her life and her family.
Further, she narrated that she spoke to her son moments before he left for the academic trip in Mombasa on Monday, March 18.
Her son, she added was joyful and full of life adding that he was excited about the trip.
“The last time I spoke to him was before the trip, he was very social and friendly. He was a son that every parent would have loved to call their own,” she said.
“He was very calm and a people’s person. He has left a gap that nobody can fill but we are trusting in God,” added the family.
Catherine and other parents had attended a postmortem examination exercise at Kenyatta University Funeral Home on Thursday, March 21.
Also Read: Kenyatta University Accident Survivor Recounts Last Moments Before Crash
Other Parents Mourn Their Children Who Died in the Crash
At the same time, the family of Neville Opiyo Omondi eulogized him as a strong believer who never missed church and loved people.
The Public Health student was hailed for his hard work and kindness towards others.
“My brother was a very good person. He was very hardworking and loved going to church. In many instances, he would refuse to have breakfast in the morning to rush to church. He never missed church,” Faith Opiyo, the deceased sister said.
On the other hand, the family of 22-year-old third year student Austine Owino pleaded with the government support them and grant their kin a befitting sendoff.
They lamented that the burden of transferring his remains to their home in Oyugis in Homa Bay County, was a big concern, even as they were coming to terms with his demise.
” It will be a great relief if they take care of the transportation of the body, the mortuary bill and clothing. We will appreciate the support so that we can bury our son,” Kennedy Ouma, his relative pleaded.
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The university community will be allowed to view the bodies of the students and pay their last respects on Friday, March 22.
At the same time, Government Pathologist Peter Ndegwa said that the all the 11 students died of severe head injuries from the crash.
Kenyatta University Survivor Narrates last Moment Before the Accident
Following the accident, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof Waceke Wanjohi announced the suspension of learning at the institution for three days in honor of the students who lost their lives.
“Following this unprecedented tragedy, the University management has decided to suspend all classes for three (3) days from Wednesday 20 March 2024 to allow us to mourn our beloved students,” he announced in a statement.
Additionally, on March 19, a survivor of the crash narrated that the driver was overtaking another vehicle when a trailer crashed into the bus from behind. He said that those who sat at the back were severely injured, and others passed away.
“We were on a trip with our school. So, just after Mtito Andei, our driver was trying to overtake. The trailer came right at us and crashed into our bus from behind. Those who were seated in the rear were the ones who were severely hurt in the accident.
“Those of us who didn’t have seatbelts on were thrown outside. I fell but only sustained injuries on my arm, my friend over here sustained neck injuries,” he said.
