A wave of grief swept through Nyakach on Saturday as the community laid to rest 22 of its loved ones who perished in last week’s Coptic Roundabout bus crash in Kisumu.

The joint funeral, held by the Korwa and Katieno clans, drew thousands of mourners in a solemn display of unity. A somber procession of 22 hearses moved from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital to Naki Primary School, accompanied by gospel hymns that echoed through the air.

Residents lined the roads, some carrying flowers, photographs, and handwritten notes as they struggled to come to terms with the devastating loss. Survivors and relatives spoke of the unimaginable pain of losing so many community members at once, calling it a tragedy that will take years to heal.

“This is not just the loss of families but of an entire community,” one mourner said, capturing the depth of sorrow that has engulfed Nyakach.

The accident, which claimed 26 lives in total, has left Kisumu County reeling. Saturday’s mass burial not only marked a moment of farewell but also underscored the collective mourning of a region bound together in grief.