FIVE children killed by their father, who committed suicide afterwards, were buried at Chesirikwa village in Kuresoi district on Tuesday.

John Kiprono Kirui, 45, was not eulogised in the funeral, the final blessing only mentioned the children, "may the Lord rest the souls of the innocent children in the eternal peace".

The boys are Amos Kipkoech aged ten, twins Dominic Kiprop and Caleb Kipchirchir aged nine, Daniel Kiplagat aged five, and Gideon Kipng'eno aged two. The faithful at Chesiririkwa Pentecostal Assemblies Church did not pray for the man's soul. The church pastors said Kirui was "not a Christian hence not a saint".

Before his death, the eldest son had asked the pastor to pray for his father'ssalvation in church on Sunday.

"The eldest son had begged me on that last Sunday to allow him sing. He said he wanted to only sing the last song. I did not know that he was envisioning his death," said pastor Margaret Chepkirui. Family and friends did not throw the handful of soil in Kirui's grave as is tradition in many burials.

He was buried further away from his children, on the right side of their house. The children's mother, Betty, was led away from the graveside after the burial. She sat by the graves during the burial service quietly and had to be supported by mourners at the end.

Keringet Pentecostal Assemblies Church pastor, Abraham Mutai, said he will offer mass prayers for the family and the locals. He said prayers will wade off any similar misfortune in the family.

The family will meet tomorrow to deliberate on the cleansing rituals. Kiprono Killed his five sons last Tuesday at about 3am after a domestic quarrel with his wife. The burial was attended by Nakuru town MP Lee Kinyanjui and various aspirants.