Grief as bodies of seven KCPE candidates who drowned in Kwale arrive in Nairobi

Coffins bearing the remains of a pupil from St Martins de Porres School in Murang'a at Kenyatta Funeral Home Friday. Seven pupils from the school drowned at Indian Ocean on Wednesday. [PHOTO BY KAMAU MAICHUHIE/Standard]

NAIROBI: A sombre mood engulfed Kenyatta University Funeral home Friday when the bodies of the seven boys of Saint Martin de Porres Boy’s school in Murang'a who drowned at the Indian Ocean on Wednesday arrived at the mortuary.

A cloud of sadness hang around the funeral home as the bodies of the young minds whose lives were abruptly snuffed out by massive Indian Ocean tidal waves were one after the other taken to the mortuary chapel for short prayers.

Some of the grieving parents who perhaps could not comprehend why their sons had to die so soon wailed uncontrollably upon viewing the bodies of their departed kin. The bodies were airlifted from Mombasa by Kenya Airways free of charge.

Murang'a Catholic diocese Education Secretary identified as Fr Muriuki said a postmortem will be carried in the presence of the parents and other close relatives tomorrow.

"A special mass to pray for the departed souls and the bereaved families will also be held tomorrow at the school," he said.

He said the bereaved families and pupils who survived the ordeal were being given counseling sessions since many of them were still in shock and traumatised.

One of the grieving parent who declined to disclose her name said her son had intimately told her not to pay for him the trip since he was not feeling like going but later suddenly changed his mind a month ago.

She said her son later told her he had learnt from his friends the trip was going to be a good academic trip and therefore no need to be left behind.

"I cannot believe I will never see my son again. This is too much to bear for me. I wish he had not changed his mind. How I wish God had taken me instead," she said tears rolling down her cheeks.

The bishop of Murang'a Catholic diocese James Maria Wainaina conducted a small service during which he said Saint  Martin de Porres school was one of the best Catholic sponsored institution in the country.

Terming the incident as unfortunate and tragic, the bishop said the church would offer all the necessary support to the bereaved families.

He said the entire Murang'a catholic diocese congregation felt reduced and humiliated by the untimely deaths of the young minds.

He called on the bereaved families to accept what had happened since it occurred with the full knowledge of God who is the giver and taker of life.

"Even though it is very hard for us to comprehend why it had to be our children and our school, let us accept what happened since it was the will of God. He is a good God who will give us the comfort that we so badly need at a time like this," said Bishop Wainaina.

Murang'a Deputy Governor Gakure Monyo who represented Governor Mwangi Wa-Iria said the county government would cater for the funeral expenses.

He called on the affected families to have faith and trust in God during this trying moment for he meant well for them.

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