This archive report was first published on 15 October 2019.
On October 15, 2019, a devastating tragedy struck the family of John Wambua when his wife, Mariam Kighenda, and their 4-year-old daughter, Amanda Mutheu, lost their lives in the Likoni Ferry tragedy.
Mariam and Amanda were trapped alive in their car, which slid into the Indian Ocean, and were later discovered in a tight embrace in the back seat.
Reminiscing about his wife, Wambua said, “Mariam was loving, God-fearing, jovial, forgiving and welcoming.”
He added, “She was hardworking. She used to manage our farm in Msambweni,” fighting back tears.
Wambua and Mariam were parents to two children, Amanda and 10-year-old Alvin.
The grieving father remembered Amanda as a “jovial, moody but a very sweet girl” whom he “was attached to”.
Wambua said that Mariam's death was a big loss not only to him but also to her classmates at M.M Shah Academy, Mombasa.
“Teachers, parents and her classmates are heartbroken,” Wambua said. “It is a big loss to me and the whole family. I loved my wife and she loved me too.”
