How Kenyan man in UK found out his UK bound daughters were among those who perished in the Naivasha accident
By Antony Karanja|Jambonewspot.com
The Saturday evening tragedy in Naivasha did not spare those in the Diaspora.
Daniel Kimani, a Kenyan living in the UK was to have a reunion with his wife and three daughters in Mitcham, South West London. That never happened.
On the way to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to board a flight to the UK, Mr Kimani’s family drove right into a disaster.
The vehicle which was being driven by his brother who was taking Kimani’s wife and daughters to the airport was among those that caught fire at Karai on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. The accident involved more than 10 vehicles and claimed the lives of 40 people.
Two of Kimani’s daughters Eva Wambui, 17 and Mary Njoki, 14 were killed in the blaze that engulfed their vehicle. His younger brother David Kamau also died in the accident. His wife, Violet Kimani and 24-year-old daughter, Juliet Wairimu survived and underwent treatment at Avenue Park Hospital.
Mr Kimani had moments earlier been on the phone with his wife and they headed to the airport. His last communication with them was at about 6pm (London time). He later could not get hold of them.
When he finally went through on his wife’s phone, a man by the name Ng’ang’a answered and asked him to identify himself. It was then that he was informed that his two daughters and his brother did not survive the accident. He was told that his wife and other daughter had been injured.
His wife was treated and discharged at the Avenue Park but Wairimu is still admitted at the hospital.
Kimani had last seen his family in April when they had visted him in the UK where he works as a clinical officer and has lived for 10 years.
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