NAIROBI, Kenya – Losing a child is every parent’s worst nightmare.
For Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi, that nightmare became a reality after her son, Elvis Murakana, succumbed to injuries sustained in a grisly road accident.
His untimely passing has sparked an outpouring of mixed reactions, with some offering heartfelt condolences while others have chosen to revisit Elachi’s past political remarks.
Elvis had been fighting for his life in the ICU for two days before succumbing to his injuries.
Though little is known about him publicly, he was one of Elachi’s four children—a son whose life was cut short in a tragedy no parent should have to endure.
Support from Leaders and Citizens
Despite Kenya’s deeply polarized political climate, some leaders and citizens have set aside their differences to extend their sympathies to the grieving MP.
Among them was Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, who expressed his sorrow and acknowledged the weight of such a loss.
Dear Hon. Beatrice Elachi,It is with a heavy heart that I extend my deepest condolences to you and your family on the tragic loss of your son, Elvis Murakana.As the MCA for Kileleshwa Ward, I join the people of Dagoretti North and beyond in mourning this profound loss.
“Losing a child is an unimaginable pain, and my thoughts are with you during this incredibly difficult time,” Alai shared in his tribute, adding that Elvis would forever remain in people’s hearts and memories.
Others, too, urged for compassion over condemnation. One X user wrote, “You can be my worst enemy, but I shall never celebrate the death of your child. May Elachi find strength, and may her son rest in eternal peace.”
You can be my worst enemy, but I shall never celebrate the death of your child. There is a time and a season for everything. May Beatrice Elachi’s son rest in eternal peace and may beautiful sunsets accompany his soul as it travels across the secrets unknown to us, the living. ⚖️
A Divided Public Response
However, not everyone was in a consolatory mood.
Some Kenyans took to social media to criticize Elachi, referencing past comments in which she told young people who were unhappy with Kenya to leave.
Others resurfaced footage of her at a public event where she appeared to back a group of rowdy youths who allegedly attacked activist Morara.
One online critic posted, “Beatrice Elachi supported goons as they attacked Morara at Bomas. Now she has lost her son, who was the same age as Morara. Karma is real.”
Others pointed to what they viewed as poetic justice, arguing that Elachi had dismissed the struggles of ordinary Kenyans. “She told us to leave Kenya instead of sympathizing with us. That’s why people feel no pity now,” another user remarked.
Choosing Compassion Over Division
Tragedy has a way of revealing both the best and worst in people.
While political differences and past actions shape public perception, death should never be an occasion for celebration.
At the core of every leader is a human being—one who, in this moment, is simply a grieving mother.
In a world where outrage often overshadows empathy, perhaps this is a moment for reflection.
Grief is universal, and loss knows no politics. Today, Beatrice Elachi isn’t just a politician. She’s a mother who just lost her son. And that, if nothing else, deserves compassion.
