Relatives of the Coptic accident victims gather at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kisumu, on August 09, 2025, to see their kins.
The hills of Nyakach have witnessed seasons of joy and seasons of loss. Yet, none in living memory — not famine, nor inter-communal conflict, nor past tragedies — has ever tested the resilience of the Korwa and Katieno clans of Nyakach, Kisumu County, like the events of last week.
On Saturday, August 16, the usually quiet grounds of Naki Primary School will transform into a solemn field of white tents, black ribbons, and loudspeakers echoing gospel hymns.
Thousands of mourners will gather for a heart-rending mass funeral — an unprecedented ceremony to lay to rest 26 members of the community who perished in the Kisumu bus crash of August 8, 2025.
The cruel symmetry of the tragedy has left the village stunned, wrapped in collective sorrow. On the morning of Friday, 54 members of the extended clan boarded a school bus from Naki Secondary School. They sang hymns as they made their way to Nyahera in Kisumu West, where they were to bury 78-year-old Risper Akeyo Ogendo.
Among the travellers were elderly men and women leaning on walking sticks, parents with young children at home, and hardworking youths who had taken leave from their jobs to pay their last respects.
“They left here in high spirits; some hadn’t seen each other in months. It felt like a reunion, even though it was in grief,” said Chrispine Otieno, a relative of one of the survivors.
The scene of the accident at Coptic Roundabout, Kisumu, on August 8, 2025.
But joy turned to devastation at the Coptic Roundabout in Kisumu. The bus, carrying 54 passengers, was involved in a catastrophic crash. Twenty-one lives were lost on the spot; five others died while receiving treatment in hospital, while several sustained serious injuries.
Exactly one week later, on August 15, the same village awoke at 6:30 am — not to send off their kin, but to receive them in death.
At Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary, grief hung in the air like a heavy fog. Women slumped against one another in silent despair. Men gripped each other’s hands, too broken for words. The only sounds were whispered prayers and the soft murmuring of grief.
Hundreds of Kisumu residents gathered outside the morgue to stand in solidarity with the bereaved. Wails of anguish pierced the air as medics hurried to set up a first-aid station to care for mourners who had collapsed under the weight of sorrow.
In the morgue’s main lobby, 22 coffins lay in a neat row, each adorned with a nameplate bearing the deceased’s name, date of birth, and date of death. Four more bodies, belonging to clan members whose relatives were still travelling from abroad, remained in the cold rooms, awaiting their final journey.
“It was important for those families to have all members present before the burial. These goodbyes can only be done once,” Mr Otieno explained.
A bus ferrying mourners that overturned at Coptic Roundabout on August 8, 2025, killing more than 20 people.
Outside, 22 hearses lined up in solemn formation, each bearing the name of the deceased across the windscreen. The convoy moved out slowly, escorted by police vehicles ensuring a clear path.
Along Nairobi Road, from Kachok Roundabout to Mowlem, life paused. Residents emerged from homes, offices, and shops. Some waved white handkerchiefs; others clapped slowly in reverence. Many bowed their heads silently as the motorcade passed.
By late afternoon, the procession reached Koguta Katombo village, where the bodies would lie in vigil. Each hearse was marked with the homestead name, but such was the scale of the tragedy that confusion still arose. Mourners wandered between homes, carrying flowers, framed photographs, and handwritten notes, their steps heavy with sorrow.
Heavy financial burden
“I don’t know which home to start from. The pain is too much. We’ve never seen anything like this,” said Jane Anyango.
Grief rippled from one compound to the next. Hymns rose into the hills. Villagers moved from house to house, their eyes swollen, their footsteps slow. At each homestead, new wails erupted. The air grew thick with mourning. Grief became a landscape.
Engineer Vincent Kodera, chairperson of the funeral organising committee, confirmed that a joint memorial and burial service would be held on Saturday at Naki Primary School.
“The service will begin at 9am. All the bodies are expected to arrive by 8am. We expect the church service to end by 1pm, after which the burial will proceed,” he said.
He explained that the decision to hold a collective ceremony was made to allow the community to grieve and begin healing together.
The scene of the accident at Coptic Roundabout, Kisumu, on August 8, 2025.
“We’ve lost so much. The village is in deep trauma. People are paralysed — unable to work, unable to sleep. This funeral is a step toward healing.”
Engineer Kodera also emphasised that the funeral would remain apolitical. “We will not allow political speeches. If any politician attends, let it be to mourn with the families — nothing more,” he warned.
As mourning envelops the community, a heavy financial burden looms. Engineer Kodera revealed that the funeral committee faces a shortfall of Sh4.5 million and appealed for public support.
“We had submitted a budget of Sh17.5 million to the government. We’ve only received Sh4.5 million so far. While the government has covered mortuary fees and transport, the costs of such a massive funeral are overwhelming,” he said.
He noted that many of the deceased were family breadwinners, leaving behind school-going children with uncertain futures. “Part of the pending funds will go towards supporting these children, ensuring they remain in school,” he added.
Justus Diang’a, the committee secretary, echoed this plea. “Almost every household has lost someone. We couldn’t manage this alone. The government’s support has helped, but we still need help to give our people a dignified farewell,” he pleaded.
Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o assured the community that both the county and national governments were committed to easing their burden. “The county is working closely with the national government to ensure no family is left to carry this weight alone. A joint funeral service will be held on Saturday at Naki Primary School,” the governor said.
Nyanza Regional Commissioner Florence Mworoa confirmed that the Ministry of Interior had disbursed Sh4, 000,400 towards the burial arrangements.
“The government has fulfilled its promise. We received the funds from Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo to help cover the costs,” she announced to mourners gathered outside the morgue.
