Kenyan Family Appeals for Help to Airlift Body of Kin Who Died in Saudi Arabia in October

The family of a Kenyan woman who died in Saudi Arabia last year is appealing for financial assistance to transport her remains to Kenya for burial.

Holiness Wawuda, 52, is said to have collapsed in police cells in Riyadh on October 10th, 2021, and was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital in the Saudia capital.

Her cousin Leonard Maghanga says the mother of three was being held in police custody as officials processed her deportation after she declined to renew her work permit and resorted to door-to-door services.

“A friend told us that she was taken to the hospital by police. She said our daughter had blood pressure issues but we don’t have any official information yet to know what exactly killed her,” said Maghanga.

The family from Wundanyi in Taita Taveta County says their attempts to find assistance from Kenyan officials back at home and Saudi have proved futile.

They are seeking at least Sh800,000 to airlift her remains to Kenya and have so far raised Sh200,000.

“We were told the cost of air-freighting is Sh400,000 and the balance will cater for transportation from the airport to here and her burial ceremony. Unfortunately, we are unable to raise the money,” Maghanga added.

The mother of the deceased Sarah Katini says Wawuda was the family’s sole provider and has pleaded with the government and well-wishers to help them bring back her body.

“I am not able to foot the mortuary bills incurred in Saudi Arabia and the cost of bringing the body because I don’t have any income. I don’t have money to pay my grandchildren’s school fees. I even don’t have a proper home and the farm does not yield enough to feed us,” she said.