Four relatives, bride killed in road crash after dowry talks

It is a cloudy and gloomy afternoon.

Simon Koskei peers into the wreckage of the vehicle at Lumakanda Police Station in Lugari, Kakamega County.

One would think he is a traffic police officer inspecting the car that was involved in the weekend tragic accident along Eldoret -Malana highway.

However, Koskei is in disbelief as he looks at the vehicle that was carrying members of his family that was involved in a multiple road crash that killed five, including an expectant bride.

The accident happened at Murugusi area, Lugari Constituency, Kakamega County.

According to Koskei who is the father the groom, Nicholas Biwot, his family left his home in Kapkoros Elgeyo Marakwet County at 6 am on Saturday. They were travelling to Ebulechia in Mumias East Constituency to the bride’s family to negotiate dowry payment.

The groom didn’t travel with his family. The wedding ceremony was slated for December.

“The meeting went smoothly, and the families were excited about the upcoming dowry payment and wedding.

‘‘After concluding discussions, I called my wife on the event’s progress at around 6 pm and she told me they were on the way back home with the bride,” said Koskei.

However, as they drove back to Elgeyo Marakwet in an optimistic mood talking about what the future holds for the new coupl, the accident happened.

The crash involved an oil tanker heading to Malaba border from Eldoret. The tanker was overtaking a tractor carrying building materials when it rammed into the vehicle carrying the groom’s family and the bride at 8am.

Koskei made a follow-up phone which no one answered leaving him in suspense.

“I became unease when my calls were going through but no one was answering. Those attending the ocassion had two cars, when those in the first car reached Eldoret town they were told that a vechicle had been involved in an accident and several people were dead,” said Koskei.

“A neighbour was called to pass the sad news and told me to visit Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital where I found my wife, Ann Koskei, and my sister, Seline Chelimo, in critical condition as the only survivors.”

The accident left Brendah Masakhwe (the expectant bride) dead including Koskei’s elder brother Arap Bett, William Nyetuka (a younger driver) who was the driver of the car, Hellen Mengich (an in-law) and Mary Chole .

“My son did not travel to thenegotiations as per our culture.

‘‘We were eager to meet the girl but as fate could have it, she has died without stepping at her husband’s home,’’ said Koskei.

According to police in Kakamega County, the driver of the tractor has recorded a statement and the hunt is on for oil tanker driver.

The family of the late Masakhwe said they were expecting their son-in-law to visit the home in December before the tragic incident, said an aunt Janet Ingonga,

“We had just released our in-laws with our daughter back to Elgeyo Marakwet and I called one of our family members who was in the first car to share with us the photos they took during the fete only to tell me the sad news, she was a promising 29-year-old girl and our breadwinner but we leave the rest to God,” said Ingonga.

Ingonga said the bodies have been transferred to Iten Mortuary from Webuye Mortuary and they will be laid to rest on Thursday at the son-in-law’s place.

According to Kakamega County Traffic Police Officer Christopher Meeme the driver of the tractor has recorded a statement and police are currently looking for the driver of the oil tanker who caused the accident. Reports indicate that he is receiving treatment in one of the private health facilities in Eldoret City.

blusigi@standardmedia.co.ke