Dr James Gakara used to tell his two children bedtime stories, like The Donkey in the Well and the Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf.
Morals of persistence, diligence, strength and never giving up.
But Gakara did give up.
On Tuesday, the beloved obstetrician was laid to rest alongside the children he is believed to have fatally injected with drugs. He then injected himself.
The motive for the murder and suicide has not been established. The drugs not yet identified.
On Tuesday, widow Winnie Odhiambo called him "a beautiful soul" and praised his resilience.
She told the stories of the Donkey in the Well and the Three Little Pigs.
The three were buried in two graves next to each other, all covered with a single white tiled slab at the family home in Muririchwa area of Mbaruk in Gilgil subcounty.
No soil was thrown into the graves after the coffins were lowered, save for a few fistfuls by a priest for symbolism. The space above the coffins was hollow.
A family friend said the initial plan was for one grave for the three but then they decided on two graves, one slab.
Tens of family members, friends and relatives gathered at an open field for the burial service before private interment at the home.
Gakara's eldest daughter from an earlier marriage, Agnes Njeri, called Gakara her father, mentor and friend, wrapped into one.
"My father ensured I got the best education, I am grateful for his presence and no matter what happens, he will remain my friend,” she said.
To her siblings Dylan and Hailey, Njeri said she enjoyed their time together and they will forever remain in her heart.
Gakara is believed to have injected his children with prescription drugs, then injected himself on September 18 at their Milimani Apartments house in Nakuru.
The children died in their beds, Gakara was rescued by neighbours who broke in and took him to hospital. He died three days later at Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital.
Doctor Norman Njogu, remembered that Gakara guided him on his career journey.
"If I was asked what I would have wanted from Gakara I would have chosen his hands because he worked with absolute finesse," Njogu.
Njogu added that despite Gakara being among the best obstetrician-gynecologists, he chose him (Njogu) to deliver his two children. Doctors usually don't treat their families.
"I knew Dylan and Hailey when they were in their mother's womb,” he said.
Njogu said after each baby was born, Gakara threw a party and gifted the surgical team with live goats.
The precise cause of the deaths, the actual drugs used, will be determined after toxicology tests. The post mortems were inconclusive.
Gakara owned Optimum Current Healthcare Clinic.
(Edited by V. Graham)
