Meru Family Who Held Parental Blessing Fete Speaks After Accident Killed 12 Attendees: "We Prayed"

• A Meru family is mourning after 12 attendees of a parental blessing event died in a horrific accident at Nithi Bridge while returning to Nairobi
• According to the family that hosted the event, the day had been a beautiful gathering filled with singing, eating, and dancing
• The family prayed for safe travels before the attendees left in three vehicles, including two 14-seater matatus and a personal car; however, a few hours later, the unthinkable happened

The Meru family who hosted a parental blessing event has painfully spoken after 12 of those who attended the ceremony perished in a terrible accident at the infamous Nithi Bridge.

Eight women, two men and two children met sudden deaths on the night of Saturday, August 31, after the vehicle that was ferrying them back to Nairobi was involved in an accident that killed all on board.

Speaking to the media, a member of the family that held the ceremony was in pain as they struggled to come to terms with the tragedy that followed the colourful event.

From celebration to mourning

Speaking on behalf of an inconsolable Damaris Kathira, who had hosted her friends, Pamela Mukaba said their ceremony was beautiful as they sang, ate and danced together.

"After the event, we prayed together for journey mercies. They boarded three vehicles: two 14-seater matatus and a personal car," she narrated.

However, a few hours after they left, they received the devastating news that one of the matatus had gotten into a terrible accident.

Speaking to The Nation, Kathira revealed she had never thought that the colourful day would end up with the deaths of her friends.

"We were just starting these parental visits. After the visit to my home, we were to visit Kang'undo next but sadly, the friend whose parents we were to visit perished," she said.

Pamela called for help planning the send-offs of her friends.

"The group was comprised of communities in Kenya, not just the Ameru. Please help us," she said.

Woman who attended parental visit speaks

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that Emily Nzasu, a member of the tragedy-stricken Vision Group, shared how the grisly accident occurred.

The woman shared that their matatu was the first to veer off the road but was able to return to the correct lane. Shortly afterwards, the other vehicle veered off into the wrong lane.

According to Nzasu, there was a collision between the van and a pickup, and it took the efforts of the police and firefighters to retrieve the bodies from the wreckage.

Nithi Bridge accident: Latest updates

• Lucy Kiende, an in-law of the late Njeri at Kware Market in Rongai, bitterly mourned her after learning she was among those who died in the Nithi Bridge accident.
• A video emerged showing the last moments of the women and children who died in the Nithi Bridge accident
• The crash occurred after a van lost its brakes and collided with a pickup before crashing into an oncoming Hilux car

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke