Kilifi widow loses three children in Josa bus crash

Josephine Mrabu, Prudence Mrabu and Emmanuel Mrabu, who died in a tragic accident at Josa on the Wundanyi-Mwatate road in Taita-Taveta County last Saturday. Twelve mourners coming from a funeral died in the crash.

Photo credit: Maureen Ongala I Nation Media Group

A family from Chivara village in Kilifi County is mourning three siblings who died in a tragic accident at Josa on the Wudanyi-Mwatate road in Taita-Taveta County last Saturday.

One of the deceased is Jaribuni location chief Josephine Mrabu. Her younger sister, Prudence Mrabu and younger brother Emmanuel Baraka, also died in the crash.

A relative, Mr Amos Kavure, said the deaths are a blow to their elderly and widowed mother, Naomi Mrabu.

Mr Kavure said Josephine and Prudence died on the spot, while Emmanuel died while being transferred to the Coast General Hospital for further treatment.

Their other brother, Mr Baraka Mrabu, and Emmanuel’s wife sustained minor injuries.

According to Mr Kavure, the local community had lost a great leader in chief Josephine.

“The late Josephine was the breadwinner and we looked up to her for help and decision-making. We are mourning her when we needed her most,” he said.

Mr Kavure said it saddened them to lose three family members in a day.

“The family had 10 children, two sons and eight daughters, and all were alive until the accident that took away three at the same time,” he said.

Ms Agnes Nyevu, the eldest, mourned her siblings and said they had left behind young children.

“The deaths are shocking to us because initially, we knew only Chief Josephine had died, only to be told that Prudence did not make it.

On Sunday, Emmanuel lost the fight while being taken to Coast General Hospital. We are still in shock because we have never experienced such a situation,” she mourned.

She called on well-wishers to support the family in prayers and financially.

Ms Nyevu said they needed Sh8,000 for post-mortem for the two bodies at the Voi Referral Hospital before they ferry them to Kilifi.

In addition, they need to move their brother and sister-in-law from Voi Referral Hospital to the nearest hospital in Kilifi.

According to  Ms Nyevu, Emmanuel, 23, has left behind a daughter, while Prudence, 34, has left behind three children. Josephine, 44, had four children.

Their mother, Ms Naomi Mrabu, a pastor at Revival Saints International Ministries Church, wept as she mourned her children.

“I ask God to give me strength,” she mourned.

Ex-Senior Assistant Chief Albert Nyoka mourned Josephine and said the community had lost a  hardworking leader, a defender of the girl child, and a spokesperson.

“The late Josephine was an open-minded leader who loved her work and an advocate for girl child education in our society. She would always advise girls to focus on their education for a better future,” he said.

He said her hard work saw her rise from being the Chivara assistant chief to chief of Jaribuni.

Mr Nyoka said Chief Josephine used to speak against intimidation and challenged politicians whenever they were in the wrong.

“This death is a big blow to everyone. The late Chief Josephine loved the community and would speak against the wrongs by leaders, even politicians, without fear,” he mourned.

The bodies of Josephine and Prudence are preserved at the Voi Referral Hospital Mortuary while that of Emmanuel is at the Coast General and Referral Hospital Mortuary in Mombasa.