‘Our dreams have been shattered, but we’ll fight on’

Jacob Juma John Juma's son, John, in grief during the burial ceremony at Mungore village in Bumula, Bungoma County on May 14, 2016. BY BENJAMIN SAKWA

Slain businessman Jacob Juma was yesterday laid to rest in an emotional ceremony at his Mungore home in Bumula, Bungoma County.

Speakers at the church service held at neighbouring Mungore Primary School, narrated how Juma had made a huge impact in their lives, saying their dreams are now shattered and things will never be the same following his brutal killing.

They also vowed that the death of Juma would not be in vain and promised to champion what the businessman stood for. Politicians from the region also pledged to forge a united front as the country heads for elections. The widow, Miriam Juma, said most of the people her husband supported, either financially or emotionally, will miss him.

She recalled how she met Juma at Kenya Polytechnic in 1995, when she was just 22. "You will run but you cannot hide forever," she said of those behind the killing of her husband.

During the ceremony, Juma's six children - Irene, Isaiah, Jack, John, Rosy and Mohamoud and their three mothers were paraded before the mourners.

The children talked of the cordial relationship they had with their father, and wondered how such a courageous and truthful person would be killed in such a brutal manner.

"I get so emotional when I see the body of my father. Why would one kill a person who had good intentions for the country," said nine-year-old John Juma in his address.