Nakuru, Kenya: A month after re-uniting with his brother whom he hadn’t seen for seven decades, Juma Omolo Swangi has died.
Juma Omolo Swangi dies at 83
Swangi 83, who re-united with his elder brother John Akula 89, in an emotional re-union on October 1, died on Tuesday at Nakuru General Hospital after suffering a bout of malaria.
The octogenarian had returned from Siaya where he went to meet his other relatives who he had not seen for decades following a separation in late 1940’s.
Joseph Ndungu, a resident of Maombi village inKabasi, described him as a devoted Christian and true friend who loved reading the Bible in his free time.
BURIAL PLANS
Although the grief-stricken villagers have started meetings to plan for his burial, they are yet to decide where to bury him.
“Yes, he told us he wished to be buried at the All Saints Catholic Church at Kabasi. However, we are unclear on the position of his relatives given that he had already been taken to his rural home prior to his death,” a friend explained.
He said church members have made arrangements to ensure the old man’s remains are properly preserved at the morgue as preparations for his burial progress.
Solomon Okumo, also a resident of Siaya but working in Nakuru, said Swangi told him on his hospital bed that he was no longer interested in returning back to his ancestral village even in his death.
By VINCENT MABATUK, The Standard
