Embu boda boda operators comes to the rescue of family

Embu,

Monday, October 9, 2023

KNA by Samuel Waititu 

There was joy at a family from Kibugu Location in Manyatta Constituency, Embu County, whose kin’s body had been detained at Kenyatta University Mortuary for five months over a hospital bill of Sh444, 000 after boda boda operators came to their rescue. 

David Mathenge, 73, died of throat cancer on June 20 after staying in hospital for over one month and the family was unable to raise the bill prompting his body to be detained.

The boda boda operators led by their patron and businessman Ken Java Mwaniki were able to marshal financial support from well-wishers and their own pockets and raised Sh450, 000 to offset the bill.

The family of Mathenge could not hide its joy when the riders visited their home on Sunday afternoon to relay the good news that the bill will finally be settled paving way for his interment.

The family narrated the agonizing journey they have undergone since their father died trying to raise funds to clear the bill as their kin’s bill continues to accumulate due to mortuary charges.

Mathenge’s widow, Elizabeth Marigu, said they had lost hope of burying his remains since they had spent every coin they had during his illness and the series of fundraisings they held to raise funds to clear the bill raised very little.

She said their efforts to reach elected leaders also bore no fruits and it reached a point that the community around gave up since after their attempts to raise funds hit a snag and also funeral meetings ceased as mourners became weary.

“We went ahead and printed fundraising cards and distributed them to political leaders and other offices but nothing was forthcoming,” she lamented.

The family was elated following the intervention by the group, saying they can finally rest easy knowing they will be able to bury their father and bring to closure that agonizing ordeal.

“We hardly ate, drank or knew peace since Mathenge died, but today we are thanking God that He has finally answered our prayers and sent help,” she said.

Another family member, Mary Wambugi, said though they were still mourning, they were happy that they would have an opportunity to give him a befitting sendoff.

Patron Ken Java said it was unfortunate that a body could be detained for that long in a mortuary yet there are leaders who have been elected to take care of the needs of the people.

He said Mathenge deserved better treatment by being accorded a timely sendoff and that is why they decided to come through for the family.

Martin Muchira who is the chairman of the operators across the county urged locals to change their negative perception towards them, saying majority of them were not criminals and rogue as viewed by the public. 

Courtesy; KNA