Kenya: nun and aid worker killed in flash floods

A Catholic nun and a humanitarian worker died Tuesday night in Lodwar, in an accident that once again highlights the hardships faced daily by the people of the arid and neglected area of northern Kenya. Sr Cesaria Mary Gracy of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Ms Grace Thuo, a Red Cross worker, died in a flash flood while trying to cross River Nawotom in Lokichogio on their to way Kakuma from an outreach programme. In April, Sr Rosetta Furlong of the Medical Missionaries of Mary died in the diocese after being bitten by a hunting spider. On Tuesday, Sr Gracy and Ms Thuo had left Lokichogio at around 5.30 in a vehicle together with Joseph Chebii, Basil Etaba and Joseph Mwololo (the driver). Mwololo told CISA that it started raining shortly afterwards. They safely crossed several small rivers before reaching the Nawatom around 8pm. The current, however, proved too strong for their vehicle. "We decided to jump out and try to swim across, holding on to one another," said Mwololo. But they plunged into a deep section and Sr. Gracy and Grace were swept away. A source at the Diocese of Lodwar said the nun was rescued but died a short while later. Ms Thuo's body was recovered Thursday. "It was only by the Grace of God that we survived," Mwololo said of himself and the two other men. Sr Gracy, a native of India, came to Kenya in 2005 and worked at St Paul's Seminary, Nyeri, for six months and at Nazareth Hospital for two years. She went to Lodwar last month. A Requiem Mass was celebrated for her by Bishop Patrick Harington SMA of Lodwar at Nazareth Hospital on Friday. Sr Gracie's remains will be buried in India. Source: CISA