Kenya: Tears flow as thousands pay last tribute to drowned St Martins Boys' pupils

The portraits of seven boys who drowned at Diani beach in Kwale County, ringed by wreaths, was too much to bear during a joint requiem mass held yesterday.

The absence of bodies did not numb the pain or ease the anguish which was evident at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Murang'a town where thousands of mourners thronged to pay their last respects to the seven pupils who drowned during a retreat in Mombasa.

The Cathedral was filled to the brim in a sombre farewell ceremony punctuated by emotional scenes as relatives and friends struggled to come to terms with the tragic loss.

The requiem mass was presided over by Murang'a Catholic Diocese Vicar General Stephen Kinuthia on behalf of Bishop James Maria Wainaina. It was held five kilometres from St Martins Boys Boarding Primary School where the boys schooled, ahead of the burials today and tomorrow.

The portraits of Joseph Irungu, Collins Ndung'u, Julius Kariuki, Derrick Gatimu, Ronnie Kimathi, Cyrus Muriu and Charles Githinji, which were placed in front of the altar, served as the only reminder to the rest of their classmates that they were no more.

Pupils pose for a group photo, next to the portraits of seven of their colleagues who drowned in the Indian Ocean a week ago, during the joint funeral service at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Murang'a yesterday. (PHOTO: MOSE SAMMY/STANDARD)

Forty-nine survivors of the horrific incident attended the mass and sat pensively throughout the three-hour service, some occasionally taking photos using their phones of the wreaths placed in front of the portraits.

Several priests, sisters and brothers of different congregations graced the ceremony as were politicians led by Senate Deputy Speaker Kembi Gitura, Murang'a Deputy Governor Augustine Gakure Monyo and Murang’a Women’s Representative Sabina Chege.

During the one-week trip to the Coast, the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education candidates had envisaged having a good time before parting ways for their homes and later re-uniting for the third term.

That was never to be as their re-union yesterday was a bitter one, with seven of their colleagues going to their respective homes in coffins.

Yesterday, it was the tribute by the school's President Daniel Gatimu and a classmate of the departed that moved the crowd to tears.

"We were on a bonding mission ahead of the national examination later this year. It was a time to unwind from school work and I didn't imagine coming back to school with seven of us in caskets," Gatimu, a pupil told the attentive gathering.

Gatimu also heaped praise on counsellors "who have come in handy for us during this devastating time when seven of our colleagues are no more".

"The counsellors and our teachers have been helpful to us since the tragedy struck. We cannot also overlook the fact that all of you have gathered here to pay your last respects to our classmates," Gatimu added.

A mother of one of the pupils who perished being comforted. (PHOTO: MOSE SAMMY/STANDARD)

In a tribute read by Susan Wanjiru on behalf of teachers, the tutors had very fond memories of the departed boys.

Describing how cheerful they were before their joy was turned into sorrow, the teachers had kind words for the boys saying "death had robbed the school, Murang'a and the country of very promising young Kenyans."

"It is indeed a time of sadness and fond memories. We have tried to look for correct adjectives for the boys but the words have failed us. From cheerful, industrious, energetic, good dancers, humble, polite. They had all these attributes. Each had very special traits," the teachers summarised.

In his homily, Fr Kinuthia said the church, as the sponsor of the school, had been hit hard by the tragedy.

He said although seven boys had died in the tragedy, there was reason to celebrate since 49 others were rescued.

"I know the parents of the dead are mourning for this tragic loss but we should also be grateful to God that their colleagues managed to escape the disaster. What if the whole class perished?" posed the priest.

Fr Paul Muriuki, the education secretary at the Murang'a Catholic Diocese, recalled how he had a difficult moment breaking the bad news to the affected families.

"After we learnt about the tragedy, the hard part was to inform their next of kin and this responsibility was given to me. It was an arduous task, calling the parents to tell them their sons are no more," Fr Muriuki recounted.

Gitura and Monyo, while condoling with the families, said the tragic loss had left many unanswered questions "but all we can say we all have no answers".

Chege said Murang'a had been devastated by the loss of the seven children having lost more than 10 lives in the Garissa University College terror attack early in the year.