A family from Wananchi village in Maraka ward, Webuye East constituency has appealed to well wishers, politicians and leaders to intervene and help retrieve the body of their kin from a private hospital in Bungoma town. The hospital staff have said the body can’t be retrieved until a medical bill of Kshs 2.5 million has been paid in full.
Speaking at their home led by the deceased’s wife, they said the late Samson Ongeri was admitted at Webuye hospital but was later transferred to one of the private hospitals in Bungoma town for further treatment but he passed away after three weeks. Family and friends managed to raise Kshs 500,000 but still the hospital refused to release the body, insisting on full payment.
The deceased’s wife said the immediate family had sold everything they had to cater for the medical expenses including a piece of land and are now living in a rented house, noting that other members of the extended family have deserted them. She has appealed to well wishers and leaders from the region to come out and support them so that she can bury her husband in peace, adding that the issue is devatstaing her and her young children. The late’s mother Agnes Magomo said according to the Kisii tradition, their kinsman must be buried in order for his spirit to rest in peace, if not, they’ll be a haunted lot. The uncle, David Ongeri, has also urged well wishers to chip in, stating that his income can’t cater for the costs.