The grounds, usually filled with the play and laughter of school children, were on Thursday turned into a sea of tears, pain and tribute as mourners wailed, others stood in stunned silence, and leaders struggled to find words to comfort a community in mourning.
Early Thursday morning at the Emurua Dikirr Technical Institute grounds, an air of sorrow hung heavy in the sky as helicopters descended carrying the bodies of the Saturday plane crash victims.
One after another, aircraft carrying the bodies of the five victims of the plane crash touched down as family members and other dignitaries waited in pain.
Thousands of residents lined up along the roads and flooded the local primary school grounds, many struggling to hold back tears as they gathered to mourn men they described as their heroes.
Emotions ran high as the bodies of Johana Ng’eno, Robert Keter alias Carlos, Wycliffe Rono, Nicholas Kosgei and Amos Kipngetich arrived at the Dikiir grounds.
For several minutes, the field in Emurua Dikirr echoed with cries of pain and heartbreak.
Some mourners fainted, others sank to their knees, overwhelmed with grief as they caught their first glimpse of the coffins of their loved ones since the tragic crash.
ocal residents paid glowing tributes to the departed, describing them as humble leaders and selfless servants of the community.
Leaders from different political and social backgrounds also paid tribute, saying the five men had left behind a legacy of service, unity and commitment to their people.
The leaders also commended the government for stepping in to support the families of the victims during this difficult time.
The victims will be laid to rest at their respective homes on Saturday.
