Residents of Arwos village in Chesumei Sub-County, Nandi County, were on Monday engulfed in grief as they laid to rest MD Risper Jepkoech, a Junior Secondary School (JSS) teacher who tragically died while giving birth.
The painful loss has shocked the local community and deeply affected the education fraternity, where she was known as a dedicated and passionate teacher.
Family members, friends, colleagues, students, and education officials gathered at her rural home to bid farewell to a woman many described as kind, hardworking, and full of dreams.
Tears flowed freely as mourners struggled to come to terms with the sudden death of a young teacher whose life was cut short at a time that was meant to bring joy and new beginnings.
According to the family, Risper Jepkoech passed away after developing complications during childbirth at Real Hospital in Eldoret.
What was expected to be a happy moment for the family quickly turned into a heartbreaking tragedy.
Efforts by medical staff to save her life were unsuccessful, leaving relatives in shock and disbelief.
Speakers at the funeral described Risper as a committed educator who loved her job and cared deeply for her students.
Colleagues said she had a bright future in the teaching profession and was always eager to help learners succeed.
Many noted that she had recently been posted as a JSS teacher and was optimistic about shaping young minds under the new curriculum.
The tragedy was made even heavier by the fact that the family had been preparing to welcome a new member, only to end up planning a burial instead.
Mourners described the situation as a double tragedy, as the loss robbed the family of a mother while also raising concerns about the fate of the newborn.
Education officials who attended the burial expressed sorrow over the loss, noting that the teaching sector had lost a valuable member.
By Tuko