A Nairobi court has been treated to a sombre mood after some of the parents of the seven university students who were in court over the death of their fellow student Lorna Kathambi Karani broke down as they were speaking to their children.

This came after the Investigative Officer, Johnes Nyangige, informed the court that he has completed his investigations, and the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) has recommended an inquest into the matter.

Milimani Chief Magistrate Dolphina Alego asked the students Kariuki Gitonga, Louis Osiro, Lucy Mora, Ali Kibwana, Precious Mutembei, Austin Ochieng and Wendy Kerubo to talk to their parents and apologise, and the parents to also talk to their children.

It was at that time that some parents cried as they questioned their sons and daughters why they decided to indulge in partying and taking alcohol instead of concentrating on their studies.

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The mother of Lucy Mora, who is the third respondent, expressed her disappointment in her daughter, noting that she would like to see her daughter in newspapers but only good things, not what she read about her when they were arraigned in court.

“Lucy, nilikuleta shule usome, and ningelipenda uwe kwa gazeti kwa maneno mazuri, si maneno yenye niliona umeniaibisha,” Lucy’s mother stated.

Further, she asked the seven students why they have to take alcohol, adding that she does not understand how the alcohol is helping them in their lives as students.

“Hatukuwaleta shule kunywa pombe. Hii group mmeshikana; siwezi kujua ni nini mnafunzana na ni lipi mmepata kwa maisha sasa hivi mmekaa ndani kwa siku saba, sijui mmejifunza nini,” the parent added.

The parent expressed how painful it was for them as parents to have to come to court for the first time because of their children choosing partying instead of studying, urging the students to change their ways.

Additionally, she told the students that they will not be awarded any certificates for partying and the alcohol they are taking will not take them anywhere, advising them to choose a better life and better friends who will build them rather than destroying their lives.

She also asked the seven to go to church, repent and learn about forgiveness.

“Endeni kwa kanisa sasa hivi mjue msamaha ni nini mjue kutembea njia zake mwenyezi Mungu kama hamngekua mmelewa hamngekua hapa,” the parent told the students.

All the parents apologised for their children’s behaviour and passed their condolences to the family of the deceased Kathambi.