By Karim Were
NAIROBI —A sombre mood has engulfed Keveye Girls National School following the death of a Form Three student in a road accident while travelling home after the school closed for the holidays.
Gabriela Opanda, popularly known among friends and classmates as Gabby, died on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, as she journeyed to her family’s home in Kibera, Nairobi, shortly after the end of the school term.
Her death has left students, teachers and relatives in shock, turning what was meant to be a joyous holiday reunion into a period of mourning for her family and the wider school community.
For many learners across Kenya, the closure of schools marked the beginning of a long-awaited break and an opportunity to reunite with loved ones. However, for Opanda’s family, the anticipated homecoming ended in tragedy after news emerged that their daughter had died before reaching home.
The incident was first shared on social media by Prince Destiny Namuninia, who paid tribute to the deceased, describing her as a young girl with great potential and a bright future ahead of her.
“No words can truly ease the pain of such a loss,” he wrote, while extending condolences to the family and friends affected by the tragedy.
He also urged those mourning the student to remain strong during the difficult period and prayed for comfort for everyone who knew her.
As news of her death spread, tributes poured in from classmates, former students, teachers and members of the public, many of whom described Opanda as cheerful, respectful and hardworking.
Others lamented the loss of a promising life that had been cut short at a young age.
By press time, authorities had not released details regarding the circumstances that led to the accident, and investigations into the incident were still ongoing.
The tragedy has once again highlighted concerns over road safety in Kenya, where several lives, including those of students, have been lost in separate accidents in recent months
