Grief has struck the village of Chevaywa in Lugari with a cruel, relentless force, claiming a tenth life from a single family just hours after the earth had settled over the graves of nine relatives.

The death of Robai, the family’s eldest daughter, transforms an already national tragedy into an unfathomable nightmare for the Kakamega community, underscoring the devastating, long-term ripple effects of road carnage on Kenyan households.

A Heartbreaking Turn

Robai had been fighting for her life in the hospital since the horrific accident in Naivasha that decimated her family. According to her cousin, Martin Likhwesi, who spoke to the press, Robai passed away shortly after receiving news that her family members—including her own baby—were being interred.

Likhwesi noted that upon hearing the proceedings of the mass burial, Robai insisted she was well enough to return home, a heartbreaking testament to the bond she shared with those she lost. However, her condition deteriorated, and she died before she could rejoin what remained of her kin.

The Naivasha Crash

The calamity began when 15 family members packed into a vehicle, bound for a grandmother's funeral. It was meant to be a reunion. Instead, it ended in a twisted wreck in Naivasha.

Survivors recall a haunting conversation with the family patriarch just minutes before the crash. He had predicted they would be home by 4:00 pm, a promise that was shattered on the highway. Instead of a welcome home party, the village was forced to organize a mass grave.

An Overwhelming Financial Burden

Beyond the emotional toll, the family is facing a crippling financial crisis. The cost of dignity in death is high in Kenya, and this family has been stretched to the breaking point.

• Burial Costs: The family required KSh 4.5 million to lay the initial nine victims to rest.
• Medical Bills: An additional KSh 1.5 million was incurred for Robai’s hospitalization prior to her death.

As the community of Lugari prepares for yet another funeral, the focus turns to how a single household can survive such a total erasure of its lineage, both emotionally and economically.