08/09/2025
A family in Kiamwathi, Nyeri is engulfed in grief following a tragic accident that claimed the life of their eldest son and left another fighting for his life.
Last week, Philip Gitahi Gathua, a 23-year-old barista, died instantly when the car he was driving, alongside his younger brother, 20-year-old Stephen Mwaniki Gathua, veered off the road while negotiating a sharp corner in Karia. Stephen, a second-year student at Mt. Kenya University, sustained severe head injuries and is currently in the Intensive Care Unit at Mathari Mission Hospital.
The family is now facing an overwhelming burden as they seek to raise Ksh. 1.2 million to cover funeral expenses and medical bills for Stephen, who remains in critical condition. The heartbreaking irony is that Philip had been scheduled to fly to Qatar tomorrow the 8th of September 2025, for a promising job opportunity.
"We are devastated. Our family has been torn apart in an instant. Philip was looking forward to a new beginning, and now we are left with nothing but memories and sorrow," a family representative who spoke to Nyeri Mohoro Newshub said
The scheduled burial for Philip is set for Wednesday, September 10, 2025. As the family prepares to lay their son to rest, they are reaching out to the community for support.
"We are calling on well-wishers to help us during this difficult time. Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference," the family representative added tearfully.
Philip and Stephen were not just brothers; they were best friends, sharing dreams and aspirations. The untimely loss has left a void that can never be filled. The family is currently seeking assistance through MPESA contributions, which can be sent to Miliam Mwaniki at 0720746936.
As the community rallies around this grieving family, it serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of compassion in times of despair. Let us come together to support the Gathua family in their time of need, honoring the memory of a young man whose life was cut short far too soon.
