It was a double tragedy for a Kirinyaga family after a mother and her only son died nine days apart, leaving relatives and friends struggling to come to terms with the loss.

Retired deputy secondary school principal Lucy Muringo, 61, died on August 8, 2026, after a long illness. Nine days later, her son, Martin James Nyaga, 36, a medical laboratory technician, died in his sleep at his home in Thiba village, Mwea East Constituency.

The two were buried side by side on August 21 at the family farm on the outskirts of Ngurubani town in a sombre ceremony attended by educationists, relatives and villagers.

The family had initially planned to bury Ms Muringo on August 20. However, after Nyaga died on August 19, the burial was postponed by a day so mother and son could be given a joint send-off.

The tragedy was made even more painful by the circumstances surrounding Nyaga’s death. He had been deeply involved in preparations for his mother’s funeral, attending meetings and helping coordinate her final farewell at ACK All Saints Mwea Township Church.

Then, without warning, he died in his sleep before he could lay his mother to rest. Relatives said they were not aware of any illness or health complaint in the days before his death or any warning signs at the time.

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“My daughter and my grandson were buried on the same day. It was sad that they both went to be with the Lord days apart, but we have accepted the will of God,” said Muringo’s father, Mzee Nyaga Njai. Mr Njai said his grandson was deeply attached to his mother and believed the loss had been difficult for him.

“He loved his mother so much, and most likely he succumbed to shock,” he said.

The two were laid to rest in adjacent graves, a poignant reminder of a mother and son whose lives ended within days of each other.

“The mother and son were laid to rest side by side, and we shall surely miss them forever,” Mr Njai said. He described his grandson, who was named after him, as a humble and affectionate young man who frequently visited him at his home.

“He used to come to my home to greet me, and I loved him so much. I will miss him,” he said.

Ms Muringo was an English and Literature teacher who spent decades in education and left a lasting mark on generations of learners and teachers.

She lectured at Kamwenja and Kigari Teachers’ Training Colleges before moving into school administration. She later served as a teacher and deputy secondary school principal before retiring early this year.

The single mother of one began experiencing health problems in March and later developed paralysis. Her elder sister, Mary Njeri, cared for her until her death.

“I was taking care of her since she fell sick until she lost the battle to the illness,” Ms Njeri said.

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Her only son trained as a medical laboratory technician after completing his secondary education at Nguviu Boys High School. He later worked in Nairobi but remained closely connected to his family and the community in Mwea.

Friends and relatives described him as a friendly and approachable man who interacted freely with villagers whenever he returned home.

When his mother fell ill, Nyaga became her pillar of support. After her death, he took on the responsibility of helping the family organise her funeral.

For several days, he was a constant presence at burial planning meetings at ACK All Saints Mwea Township Church, helping prepare to give his mother the farewell she deserved. But before he could complete that final duty, he was gone.

For Ms Njeri, losing her sister and nephew in such quick succession has been almost unbearable.

“It was a big blow, and I am still trying to come to terms with the loss. I don’t know whether I will even heal, but I leave it to God. God will grant me favour and strength, and I am sure I will one day heal,” she said.

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