Kisii Family Plea for Help to Bring Daughter's Remains Home from Saudi

A family in Kisii, Kenya, is seeking assistance to repatriate the remains of their loved one Winnie Kwamboka from Saudi Arabia.

The 29-year-old reportedly died under mysterious circumstances two months ago, allegedly falling from a multi-story building. Her family is now grappling with the financial burden of bringing her body back to Kenya for a proper burial. Kwamboka had journeyed to Saudi Arabia in 2020 for better employment prospects. She was due to return home two months ago upon completion of her contract.

"She stayed for a more extended period than expected. Her contract was already over, and she was expected to return home this early month. It was not long before I got the news of my daughter's death,"

Her mother Sophia Bosibori Ontita recounts their final conversation with a heavy heart, stating that they had spoken on a Saturday when Kwamboka seemed fine, only to receive the devastating news of her death the following day. The family's struggle to raise the necessary funds for repatriation has been compounded by the financial strain they are already under. Kwamboka's brother Stephen Gichana explains that while her colleagues in Saudi Arabia have covered the mortuary expenses, the family is still short of the 200,000 Kenyan shillings required to transport her remains back to Kenya.

The local community has rallied around the family, offering support and organizing daily gatherings at their home in Ebate Village to brainstorm fundraising strategies. Despite efforts by the Kenyan government to protect its citizens abroad through bilateral agreements, cases like Kwamboka's continue to emerge. The process of repatriating remains from abroad can be both lengthy and costly, often leaving families reliant on community goodwill and the generosity of well-wishers. The Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been involved in assisting families in similar situations, but the challenges remain significant.