Bishop Joseph Mwongela of Kitui urged his diocese to continue to pray for at least 32 victims, who were killed when a bus carrying a Catholic choir plunged into the Enziu River.
The choir from Good Shepherd Parish in Mwingi rented a bus from the diocesan seminary to transport members and loved ones to an elderly couple's marriage vows. One family lost 11 people. At least 30 people have been rescued.
"So sad. People are devastated, but we are journeying with them. We want them to have hope. This sad thing happened, but Advent is a season of hope,” Bishop Mwongela told Catholic News Service in a phone interview. “Everybody has bonded very well. They were very close to each other.”
Father Michael Ngunia of Good Shepherd Parish expressed shock and sadness that so many people died while attending such a joyful event.
“The choir sang and danced on the riverbank getting ready for the wedding ceremony. Moments later, many of them died. It's been very difficult for the community," said Bishop Mwongela, who said the church has sent psychosocial support teams to the families and planned a mass in memory of the victims.
“They promised to build a bridge over this river, but I think they should also focus on all the other bridges, here and beyond, where there are no bridges,” the bishop said.
The bus, with a capacity of 51 people, was said to be overloaded after more people jumped on it as it began to cross the river as the water rose so high that the driver could not distinguish which was the river and which was the other. is the bridge.
President Uhuru Kenyatta offered condolences to the families of the victims and urged Kenyans to avoid crossing flooded bridges during the rainy season.
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