Body of Kenyan Engineer Repatriated from USA ahead of Kericho Burial

A Kenyan family is grieving the loss of their relative Emmanuel Sang who passed away in the United States on September 6, 2024.

In Jefferson, Iowa, USA, 43-year-old civil engineer Emmanuel Sang succumbed to natural causes on September 6, 2024. Born in Kericho County, Kenya, Sang had made Iowa his home since 2008, where he pursued higher education and built a successful career with the State's Department of Natural Resources. Sang's life was marked by professional achievement and personal warmth. He was known for his friendly demeanor and strong faith in Jesus Christ. His sudden passing has left a void in the lives of his family, including his mother Alice Chelangat Kitur former wife Omega and his two children, Charlotte and Gideon.

The family is preparing to receive his body today, September 30, with burial scheduled for October 1 in Kipchichim, Kericho County. A prior funeral service was held in West Des Moines, Iowa, before his remains were flown to Nairobi. In a parallel story unfolding in the United Kingdom, 26-year-old Rispah is grappling with the loss of her uncle Edwin Kalerwa. Kalerwa, 56, passed away on September 10, 2024, at Great Western Hospital in Swindon after a prolonged battle with lymphoma cancer. Rispah, as Kalerwa's sole family member in the UK, is now faced with the daunting task of repatriating his remains to Mumias, Kakamega County, Kenya.

The financial burden of international repatriation has prompted Rispah to appeal to the Kenyan community in the UK for assistance. She aims to raise £4,500 to fulfill her uncle's wish of being laid to rest in his homeland. The process of repatriating remains is often both emotionally taxing and financially challenging. In response to such difficulties, various organizations and community groups have emerged to provide support. The Kenya Diaspora Alliance, among others, has been instrumental in offering assistance through fundraising efforts and emotional support.