Together Till the End: Kenyan Couple Buried in One Grave After Dying Hours Apart

An elderly couple who died hours apart after spending decades together has been laid to rest.

Francis Njoroge Ng’ang’a (72) and his wife Mary Wangui Njoroge (71) were buried in one grave at their home in Elburgon, Nakuru County on Saturday.

Wangui died last week while undergoing treatment at Nakuru Level 5 Hospital after a short illness.

Less than 24 hours later, her husband who was healthy at the time of her death also passed away at a hospital in Njoro. Njoroge had told his family that it would be difficult for him to live without his wife. 

Their grandson Francis Njoroge said the family was shocked by the sudden death of their grandparents as the two did not have a history of chronic illness.

Hours after signing documents to allow the body of his wife to be moved to the mortuary, Njoroge fell ill and could not eat, prompting his relatives to seek medical attention for him.

“After a medical examination, my grandfather was said to be out of danger because there was no diagnosis,” said Francis.

He woke up feeling unwell and was taken to Njoro sub-county hospital where he died. The deceased left behind seven children and 16 grandchildren.