By MARY KAMANDE
Hundreds of mourners turned up for a memorial service in honour of 13 Presbyterian Church of East Africa ( PCEA) members, who perished in Tanzania last week.
The service was conducted at Thika Municipal Stadium.
Those who attended included family members, 18 MPs led by Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Cabinet ministers Eugene Wamalwa, Esther Murugi and Beth Mugo.
In a speech read by the VP, President Kibaki said the death of the women was a big blow not just to PCEA, but also to the nation.
Kalonzo said Government had footed bill for organising the womenâs burial and treatment of those who were injured in the accident in Tanga. He added Kenyatta University waived mortuary bill at Kenyatta University Funeral Home.
Kalonzo noted the Government was considering helping children left behind by the deceased.
âWe are discussing the matter, which was raised by MP William Kabogo,â said Kalonzo.
faith and dedication
Wamalwa urged Kenyans to transform the country by giving women their rightful positions in leadership.
âAs we mourn, let us see how we can transform Kenya by giving women leadership positions,â said Wamalwa. Mugo called on women to seek positions of leadership with the faith and dedication they exhibit in church service. âSpread that dedication to leadership and other areas,â she said. The women were also eulogised by Murugi, presidential aspirant Martha Karua and Kipkelion MP Magerer Langat. The women died in a road accident as they travelled for a Christian mission in Tanzania.
The 13 were among a group of 84. Among the dead were two teachers, a tutor, a lecturer at Moi University, two nurses, a secretary and an employee of local government.
