A joyous wedding celebration turned to sorrow on Friday when Amina Ribah Mohamed, the mother of the bride, tragically lost her life in a devastating road accident on her way to her daughter’s wedding reception.
Amina succumbed to her injuries after the vehicle hired to transport guests to the celebration in Kotile Division, Ijara Sub County, collided with another vehicle. Preliminary reports from local police indicate that the driver of the Probox van lost control, resulting in a crash along the Hola-Garissa Road in Tana River County.
Eyewitnesses reported that Amina was rushed to Masalani Level Four Hospital, but she was sadly pronounced dead upon arrival. The driver of the van sustained a broken arm, while another female passenger also suffered injuries.
Local residents have expressed growing concern over the dangerously high speeds at which some public service vehicles travel along the Garissa-Masalani route, with reports indicating that some drivers exceed speeds of 120 km/h in an effort to complete additional trips.
As news of the tragic accident spread, the wedding festivities were abruptly halted. The celebration quickly gave way to mourning, and attention shifted to arranging the funeral in accordance with Islamic traditions.
Efforts to contact Dr. Abdi Malik Ibrahim, the medical officer in charge of Masalani Referral Hospital, and Mr. Ouma Danito, the officer commanding Hola Police Station, were unsuccessful, as their phones went unanswered.
The wedding party later gathered for the burial ceremony at the Masalani Muslim Cemetery, which took place after Friday prayers.
