Renowned Kenyan Author Ken Walibora Buried in Absence of Wife and Children, Who Live in the US

Renowned Kenyan Swahili author Prof. Ken Walibora has been laid to rest, a week after he was found dead. Prof. Walibora, 56, was buried at his rural home in Cherangany, Trans-Nzoia County on Wednesday in absence of his wife, Ann Chebet and children Sheila Zawadi and Katila Samba, who all live in the United States.

Due to travel restrictions occasioned by the global Covid-19 outbreak, the three could not travel from the US to attend the former journalist’s funeral.

The burial ceremony was attended by less than 15 people in line with the government’s guidelines meant to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“Walibora was a very disciplined and committed Christian who valued both the elderly and the young ones. He was very humble despite being celebrated globally,” said Pastor Ken Ngurase Lujiri of Jehovah Witness Church, who presided over the burial service.

Patrick Lumumba, who spoke on behalf of the family, called for thorough investigation into his death. “We are calling on the government to ensure justice is served and killers of our brother are brought to book. Ken died a painful death and those behind (his death) should not go scot-free,” he said.

Walibora, the author of ‘Siku Njema’, had been reported missing since Friday, April 10th before his body was found at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) morgue on Wednesday, April 15th. 

He was taken to KNH after he was hit by a matatu along Ladhies Road in Nairobi but he died after he was allegedly denied treatment.

A postmortem examination carried out by Government Chief Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor revealed that Walibora had a deep cut between his thumb and index finger. Oduor observed that the cut was not as a result of the motor vehicle accident.

In addition, two teeth were missing and he had a blood clot in his head. “He had a cracked jaw on his right side, his right hand was broken and also he had a clot on his right side of the head, and he had lost two teeth all these are common with a motor vehicle accident,” said Oduor.

“He had a wound cut caused by a sharp knife on the space between his thumb and the index finger which is not familiar with motor vehicle accidents,” he added.

Eyewitnesses told Citizen TV that Walibora was being chased after by a group of people and was knocked down by a bus in the process. “Alikuja akikimbizwa na machokoraa akavuka ya kwanza ya pili akagongwa na gari,” a witness said.