The number of family members who have lost their lives in the Salama road accident has risen to seven after another relative who was being treated for injuries sustained in the crash died on Sunday.

Eight-year-old Joyce Muthoni Mbau succumbed to her injuries while still in intensive care at a Nairobi hospital.

She was the last surviving member of Constable Shadrach Mbau Macharia's nuclear family.

She will be buried with her mother and two siblings - Irene Wang'ombe, Lemmy Macharia and Joyce Wairimu - on April 16 at Kiririkania, Kuresoi North Subcounty, and not on 10th as the family had earlier announced.

This was confirmed by the family during a memorial service and fundraising event held at the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), Free Area.

The four were among the six family members who lost their lives in the Salama area along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway when their Nissan collided with another vehicle on Monday.

The memorial service was attended by the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Irrigation and Sanitation, Zachariah Mwangi Njeru, who offered his condolences to the family.

"I am here to offer my condolences to the family. It is sad and not easy but we want to offer our condolences. When a person is born, there has to be a day when he rests and it's all up to God, not us," said Mr Mwangi.

"I know it is painful, especially with the way the deceased lost their lives and they were all from the same family, but above all let us pray to God to comfort us because only He knows. May the Lord continue to comfort you and we will be with you to the end," he said.

Nakuru county deputy governor, David Kones, National and County officials join the congregants of PCEA church during the memorial service.

Photo credit: Leleti Jassor/Mtaa Wangu

Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones also condoled with the family and pledged the counties' support.

"On behalf of our Governor, we would like to say Pole. As a district we were saddened to hear the news. This is not just a family or church matter but a national matter because losing seven members is not easy and we want to say Pole. To the family, may God help you and we will be with you to the end and you won't face any challenges," said Deputy Governor David Kones.

Nakuru East MCA Antony Charles Kamau Kanyere called for the President's attention to the matter.

"We want the government's help in this matter and as you can hear the hospital bills are still piling up even after the loss of the little girl today, so we're asking the national government to help us pay the hospital bills while we work towards finalising the funeral arrangements," Mr Kamau said.

As of today, the family confirms that the hospital bill stands at Sh4 million and is appealing to well-wishers to help them raise the funds.

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