A distressed family in Koruruma village in Teso North Sub-County is appealing to the government and well-wishers to help them transport back the remains of their daughter who died three months ago in Saudi Arabia, in unclear circumstances.
According to the father of the deceased, James Epurati, their daughter Phanice Hamayi, went oversees to seek for greener pasture to elevate them from the state of abject poverty six years ago; however, recently they were informed that their daughter was dead.
“My daughter, after dropping out of school due to lack of school fees, asked me to allow her to move to Saudi Arabia as house help and after long deliberation, I allowed her to go if that was the only way out of poverty,” said Epurati.
“But for five years I have never heard from her last year, November, when she called and said she was unwell. One month later a new number called with the caller telling me that my daughter was no more,” he added.
Epurati visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was directed to write to the diaspora to seek clarification on how the body will be transported to Kenya from Saudi Arabia.
According to him, he was asked to part with a budget of half a million for the entire process, a situation that the family saw as unrealistic and beyond their reach.
“Through the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the family was asked to raise half a million to facilitate the transportation of their daughter’s body, something the family can’t afford,” he narrated.
“I only sell green vegetables, which I have planted on my half-acre farm, which can’t even pay for my other sons’ school fees,” he narrated.
Friends and neighbors led by bishop Bonface Muyale who have been holding harambees from December last year have only managed to raise Sh100000 and now they are now appealing to leaders from the president to MCAs to help them raise Sh500,000 to bring the remains of their daughter back and give her a decent send-off.
“I am appealing to all Kenyans and leaders of this nation to kindly donate to this noble course and wipe the tears of this old man. This family is in dire need and they can’t raise that much,” said bishop Muyale.
The family can be reached through the number 0795068914 or through his Bishop, Boniface Muyale, of Shilo United Church of Christ –0719858950.
By Absalom Namwalo