Sgt Rose Nyawira: A smiling machine who mingled freely with others

Villagers and family members have eulogized fallen KDF Sergeant Rose Nyawira Wachira as a smiling machine who was always jovial, kind and ever-generous.

In their joint tribute, her siblings Martin Kinyua, Martha Muthoni, Tabitha Njoki and Dan Kariuki eulogized her as a person who would gladly give her share of food to a stranger.

 "We are yet to see anyone that can match your kindness and generosity," they stated.

"Your demise hurts more that you would not be around to see your son grow but God knows best why you had to go soon."

Her father, Peter Wachira, described Nyawira, born on August 2, 1993, as a hardworking person.

Her mother eulogized her as a lovely and bubbly daughter who had been taken from her too early.

She has left a son Ethan Wachira who in his eulogy said the memories of the mother will remain vividly in his broken heart.

"My dearest mum, words cannot express the sadness in saying farewell to you," he said.

"I know whenever I am lonely and my smile becomes a frown. I will look up to the sky above and there, you'll be an angel looking down upon me."

James Wachira a neighbour said Nyawira was down to earth and easily intermingled with area people.

Nyawira was laid to rest at Kiamaciri village in Kagio Town in Kirinyaga County Thursday in a ceremony that adhered to military traditions including the 21 gun salutes.

The burial was attended by senior military officers led by the deputy commander of Kenya Air Force Brigadier Githinji who represented the commander of the Kenya Air Force.

Githinji said her death was a big loss not only to the KDF but also to the family, friends, neighbours and the Kirinyaga fraternity.

Her colleagues described her as a diligent, hardworking, loyal, amiable and reliable person.

Lieutenant Colonel Wickliffe Baraza, the commanding officer defence headquarters camp administrative unit, said Nyawira who served under him had the quality of royalty.

She said the late was ever smiling even when undertaking her duties as a journalist with the KDF.

“We have lost someone who was ever present and ready to undertake any task that she was called upon to do. We are going to miss her as KDF fraternity as well as the family, friends and colleagues,” he said.

Also in attendance were politicians led by Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru, deputy governor David Githanda, Kirinyaga politician and chairperson of Kenya Seeds Wangui Ngirichi, Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari, Kirinyaga speaker Muteti Murimi and Members of the County Assembly among others.

Governor Waiguru said Kirinyaga lost two soldiers during the accident and condoled with both the families.

Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari called for an immediate cessation of hostility between the two warring camps in the area where the plane crashed in honour of the fallen Kenyans soldiers.

Former Mwea MP Peter Gitau said many still have unanswered questions in their hearts.

Nyawira joined the KDF (Kenya Air Force ) in 2018.

She lost her life on Thursday, April 18, in a chopper crash in Elgeyo Marakwet County alongside other senior military officers including the Chief of the Defense Forces Francis Ogolla and eight others.