Obama Family Appeals for Financial Aid to Airlift Kin's Body to Kenya for Burial
The family of the late Keziah Aoko Obama has asked for financial support from Kenyans to airlift her body back to Kenya for burial.
Keziah, who was the step-mother of former US President Barack Obama, passed away on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the United Kingdom.
The 78-year-old was the first wife of Barack Obama Senior and mother to Obama’s half-siblings Auma Obama, Malik Obama, and Abo Obama.
The family launched a financial appeal to bring Keziah’s remains to the country through a card shared on social media.
“We are bringing Mama Keziah home to rest with us. Grateful for donations to: Mpesa: 0726634050 (+254),” the card reads.
Family member Said Obama confirmed the authenticity of the card to The Standard, calling on Kenyans to send their contributions.
On Thursday, the family appealed to the government to help them get special permits to allow the transportation of the deceased’s body.
“Now because of COVID-19 the world is constricted, but at the end of the day we are appealing to the authorities and the government at large to grant us passage and make it easy for us to bring mama home as soon as possible,” Malik said.
He added: “We are quite aware of the situation right now with Covid-19 and the restrictions that are in place but we just want the way to be opened for us.”
Comments (53)
Why do we have to insert Obama into this? Kenyans, Kenyans, Kenyans! When are we ever going to shed the spirit of kuomba omba? A sense of entitlement because we are associated in one shape of form to so and so? WHEN?! Jamani!
@Sukari, you are SPOT ON! Somewhat some idiots feels as though the former president ought to be involved! Si, Malik Obama had spoken against his 1/2 brother and has been worshiping Trump! Let Trump foot the bill!
You're so correct let TRUMP the KKKLANSMEN pay for it!
Why can’t Obama pay for it???? It’s HIS step mother!!!! Good grief!!!
You are a pig that Obama pay for it it’s a drop in the bucket for him
Obama doesn’t have enough class to help his sisters. Not surprised at all
Those books Obama has been are not bringing any fund
Your mentality is thuggish at best! You are a useless fella! Not able to reason things thru!
Obama’s a millionaire, let him pay!
Amen! He stole enough money and gave pallets of cash away to terrorists. He now lives in a home worth millions which he didn’t have before the Presidency. Let him pay for it and not pander for money from the American people. Sorry excuse.
Pure speculations and jealousy coming from a dirty mouth of a vampire woman! Shame on you silly speculator! Obama have worked hard for his money! Go to hell bitch!
You are just stupid!! It’s Obama’s step mother!!! He has enough money let him pay for his OWN FAMILY!!!!
@Dorothy...he STOLE money and gave it to who?! Where are the receipts (evidence) of this? YOU are a hater clearly given that unnecessary statement that he now lives in a house... what next? Are you going to point out that he is drinking from a fountain only designated to...you see where I am going with this? Shindwe!
Sounds like a Trumper to me!
Do you have evidence to support the accusation? Why should Obama pay? If they have enough money to send a person overseas for treatment, they should think ahead and buy a policy to ship the corpse home in the event the patient dies. Pretending that this can't happen is just living in denial, until the loved one dies.
You just a racist son of a biscuit eater. Sit your dumb butt down and hush
Mind ur business
Why should Obama pay? Malik is the son and he should pay! Leave Obama out of this nonsense! Better yet, she should be cremated and the ashes cast into the sea!
My thoughts ALSO, the rich ALWAYS wanting donations from the poor, he (they can) could pay for everything and let it be done, Why all this B S.?
Which Obama in particular? Note that no one is obligated to chop in with the expenses except the deceased’s children!
And Obama was never the child of the deceased!
He didn’t ask you for any did he???? So shut those dry lips
Yes, Michele and Obama are multi millionaires disgrace to ask for regular people like us to offer . It is his family he and Michele need to step up and pay
It is NOT President Obama's place to pay for his step-mother!! Where are HER children??
Uhuru Kenyatta gave Barack Obama ksh 1 million for his grandmother’s burial.
He should also give them another ksh 1 million for the step grandmother funeral.
Uhuru is not a bank vault for all the poor Kenyans! Get a damn job to afford your own crap, burial of your relatives included if you value them that much!
Serikali nisaidie, wakenya nisaidie, help help heeeelppp Kenyans too much beggginnnniinvvg. Enough, you beg for help so much even in situation where you can obviously afford it! Taking advantage of every situation. Zenu za kubania, za serikali na wakenya wengine zisafirishe mwili. Bury or cremate in UK, if you cant afford to fly the body to kenya. You have a choice!!
I’m with you @njuguna! Kenyans have become street beggars! All they want is free stuff! We can allow Kenya to be a nation of beggars! No body admits they have anything in Kenya anymore! Even DP Ruto is begging for some vaccine jab! Hawa wote ni masikini! Give me stuff my foot! Nonsense!
Malice
Obama SHOULD pay but he cares ONLY about himself.
Obama should not have to pay your not going to pay for someone who’s not your mom
Your thought process is messed up! Why must he? Get your priorities right! I thought Malik Obama supported Trump & disowned Obama? The deceased is not Obama’s mother!
This family had money to take their family member for treatment abroad . They did this because they had money . Us we organize "FUND ME " to take a body home or pay hospital bills to help families who are stretched
Ouma the daughter is a person of means .Malik could afford for a flight ticket to support Trump but for their mother they have nothing . It is not fair to spoil Obama's name with this heading. Goverment earns its money from citizens who pay TAXES . This means Wanjiku has to pay for Malik/Ouma's family . It is disgraceful
Plan ahead and get rid of that fund me crap! Cremate every body who dies around you! Do you have to raise $60k to send a corpse back to Kenya to burry? This is pure nonsense!
🤣🤣Choma mwili which is about 300$ then give it to anybody travelling or send it via DHL sio kusumbua wakenya
Why speak selfish thoughts. Allow everyone to share the love in the transition. It does not have to be at the expense of one family. Love everybody. You may desire a blessing for your family one day.
Julia your comments are the most compassionate I’ve read on this page. We should be allowed to show our condolences and support at times like this, by exhibiting love, charity , kindness and understanding fused with prayers towards the family in need of Comfort at this time. This isn’t the time to point fingers and place blame . God’s the Justifier of All Things. Let Barack Obama make his choice in this matter.
I am DNA related to Pres. Obama. My DNA breakdown contains 8 ethnicitiec...15% Kenyan
I am Also DNA related to Warren Buffet and Jeff Bezos..are you.?? Verified on Geni.com
I dont have much but I would like to donate because I am a loving caring person. You mean natured people should keep your negative hateful comments to yourself.
How can I donate $25.
Vanessa in Virginia USA
Maybe you should read the article again never once did they say they need funding (meaning money) what they said was they needed help getting approval and going through the proper channels to bring her home and give her a proper burial where their family can say their final goodbyes. Which at the end of the day I don’t give a flying fucking if your Kenyan or an Obama or Smith or Williams, why does that matter so much to you whether or not you like Obama or that woman or people of different minorities she was still a woman, his step mother, his fathers first wife, his siblings mother. I would hope you would want to help if it was you in this position. Due to the fact he’s no longer president and because of covid their are a lot more hoops to jump through. Therefore it’s not as easy for him to help in that aspect I’m sure he can only help and the family was asking for their community to help as well. If your not helping or contributing then mind the business that pays you maybe?! Just my POV!
@nun ya read the first line- The family of the late Keziah Aoko Obama has asked for financial support from Kenyans to airlift her body back to Kenya for burial.
This is their family, she should be put to rest no matter who the family members are and I am sure if it was your family you would want her buried where her home is! People are so mean, God is watching these nasty remarks about his people!!
Get off our backs . they took her there not us ! they took her there cause they could afford why don't you fund those poor guys God will bless you
Truth hurts old lady!
Malik reach out to your buddy Trump. You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.
Amen
Kenyans should stop this nonsense of expensive cargo flight of kiimba/maiti/mzoga/corpse to overseas,Kenya.Why not cremate or bury the dead at the place of death?Or does it resurrect on being taken to Kenya?Do Kenyans know that human burial came with colonialists?
My concern is,if the well connected,and high profile family can go public to ask for financial assistance to ferry the dead, where does that leave the common man?Iam trying to figure out if this is a genuine cry for help, or an opportunistic way to capitalize on the Brand-Obama .
I have faith in Kenyans that with our Harambeee spirit we can rise up to any challenge if it calls for our help.Does this one fit the bill? You decide.Its your money.
Obama is multi, multi rich....... pay for the damn airplane ticket!
Everything that has a beginning has an end. And quietness follows an remains.
Let us prepare for our own burials when we are still alive, with a sound mind, and a clear conscience.
I have already set aside some money for my cremation. No services, or lies about me after I am cremated. Just make it simple. How selfish it is to occupy a piece of land indefinitely after we die if wo choose to be buried?
Way to go @ Imara Daima. As for me, the "useless" body that I will leave behind goes to research.Hopefully it will help in the learning of human body in some way that would improve humanity.
On this forum, we read alot about what is african culture,customs,and mores.And where the afrian culture tend to appear "superior" we exalts its,and feel proud,and wish to further it.But when it is counter productive,we should also with the same fortitude discard it.And replace it with what is better,or makes sense,especially scientific sense. Nothing wrong in borrowing apage from another culture,or people. Homosapiens have been doing it for generations,and that's why we here today.
The western culture encourages early preparations for one's death.Because they know its just a matter of time.It is inevitable.We will leave this earth whether we want to or not. To this end, they have insurance,or burial plans for individuals while they are alive.Obviously a necessity to avoid burdening those left behind. We need to encourage this in our society.We also need to encourage donating our"useless "body to science.Our medical student are in dire need of these...Some of you may remember this concern was in one of our dailies not too long ago. We should also encourage cremation.Its cheap, does not take space of land.And the best way to remember the departed is to carry our their legacy through what they stood for.Or create a charity in their name. And hopefully this would encourage people to live well, be good neighbors,and brothers'keepers so that their legacy could be preserved.My two cents.