A sombre mood engulfed the Kanyasare Village in Kabondo Kasipul Sub-County of Homa Bay County during the burial of Griffine Nyagowa Omondi, a form four student at Maseno School who passed on after a short illness.
Tears flowed freely as emotions ran high when Maseno School teachers and classmates to the late joined family and friends to mourn and pay their last respect to a young, brilliant and promising mind whose life was sniffed out by the cruel hand of death.
From the onset of the funeral service, the mood was depressing,as mourners, in their droves trooped to the tented venue of the service,as individuals and in groups, some conversing in hurshed tones. Others,overcome with grief,burst into loud wails, weeping uncontrollably as they moved round the compound. Others just sang durges in praise of the departed soul.
Speaker after speaker paid glowing tribute to a galant academic soldier, one who despite having been around for a paltry 16 years, had demonstrated resilience whenever confronted with challanges-an ambassador of peace who always sought to unite people, thereby bringing calm to a stormy world as he chose love over confrontation.
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Griffine’s class teacher Mr Fred Ayako eulogized him as a disciplined hardworking student who envisioned to pursue his career as a neuroscientist in one of the prestigious universities in USA, a dream he had hoped to see turn true.
“Many plans are into the heart of a man, but it’s the Lord’s purpose that prevails,” reiterated a grief-striken Ayako while quoting Isaiah:59 , adding, “it’s evident we cannot help God fulfill his will.”
The form principal Mr Dan Warinda described the late as a focused humble boy, who rarely talked,a trait that made his father to frequent school so as to be at par with his academic progress.
Mr Warinda conveyed the entire form four students’ condolences to the family saying the candidates had unanimously resolved to burn the midnight oil so as to attain their KCSE mean target of 11.+ as an honour to their departed classmate.
The school’s Deputy Principal in charge of administration Mr Domnic Ogada,speaking on behalf of the entire Maseno School fraternity conveyed their deepest condolences to the family saying they received the message with profound shock.
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“The most difficult and painful thing in a school set up is loosing a student. For we know that every Maseno School boy is a beacon of hope to a family, a society and by extension to a nation.” pointed out the administrator, asking the family to seek solace in the Lord.
Pastor Tom Omondi of SDA Rongo Church, while giving his sermon, read from John 11:35 where Jesus wept. He reassured the family and mourners that Jesus has compassion and that there was hope for eternity for all who believe in him.
Griffine’s mother,Elizabeth Akoth Nyagowa, frail from weeping buckets, struggled to eulogize her first born son. Giving fond memories of him, she said she would miss his brilliance and tireless work ethic.
“He poured his heart in his studies, reaching academic ambitions that made us, the family, proud.” recounted an emotive Elizabeth, adding, “While I carry heavy grief that only a mother can understand, I get solace that my son is resting peacefully in the arms of our heavenly father, away from hard work.”
His father, Michael Omondi Nyagowa said he had hopes of raising a son who would surpass his wisdom, character and faith.
The crestfallen father of three said his late son bore unmatched work ethic and had immense academic ambitions which he pursued with uncomparable focus.
At the burial site, the Maseno School students stood at attention in two rows, fists on their chests -a symbol to give last honours to a dear friend that had departed too soon.
A procession led by SDA’s pathfinders, adventurers and ambassadors carried the white casket bearing Griffine’s remains as they slow-matched in unison to hymns belted out by the choir.
The sun lazily glided towards the western horizon as the freshly dug mud was scooped back to the grave, signifying the end of an era for the teenager. Dark clouds quickly gathered and hung heavily over the village, as if joining in the sombre mood.
By Peter Amos Mzee
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