Reprieve for Kisii, Nyamira families as two women killed in Saudi Arabia buried

Two families in Kisii and Nyamira counties can now breathe a sigh of relief after the bodies of their daughters, who died on different dates in Saudi Arabia, were finally repatriated to Kenya amid speculations surrounding their deaths.

Coincidentally, the two young ladies died two months ago, with both reported to have fallen from storeyed buildings.

Citizen TV visited the families at Ebate village on Thursday during the final send-off of Winfrida Kwamboka, a 29-year-old woman who died in Saudi Arabia in July.

It highlighted issues raised by Kwamboka's family regarding the circumstances surrounding her death as reported in Pala, Saudi Arabia.

Family, friends, and relatives eulogized the mother-of-one as a polite and respectful daughter who left the village in 2020 with the aim of making her home a better place.

Mourners used the burial ceremony to express their agony ever since they were informed about Kwamboka's untimely death.

"This girl was in Saudi Arabia. We received the report on the 8th, and earlier they had communicated. It took about a week, and we didn’t know which mortuary she was taken to,” said Charles Ontinta, the father of the Deceased.

Kwamboka’s Cousin Stephen Gichana added, "As a family, we have gone through a lot, but we are grateful to everyone who has stood by us, and we continue to be thankful."

For them, seeing their daughter’s grave closer to home is fulfilling.

After weeks of agony following the sudden death of Winfrida in Saudi Arabia, residents are calling upon the government to always prioritize the welfare of Kenyans, especially those still suffering in Gulf countries.

Several kilometres from Marani, the family of Richard Obuya is still trying to process the mysterious death of their daughter Millicent Moraa, who also died in Saudi Arabia in July.

As was the case with Kwamboka, the body of their kin touched down at JKIA after they shared their plight with the Kenyan public, paving the way for burial preparations.

However, this family is still in disbelief and wishes that the government would seek answers regarding the circumstances that led to Moraa’s death.

"I am glad Citizen [TV] highlighted this, and my daughter’s body was brought to Kenya. However, there was no post-mortem, and this government seems to be failing us,” Moraa’s father-in-law Daniel Areba stated.

Moraa’s Grandfather Richard Obuya added, “We waited for so long we almost forgot. Now we are just looking for a way to bury her."

Another relative Sarah Mzungu on her part noted, “At least now we will bury the body we can see, and that is a great relief for us."

This comes despite a history of Kenyans experiencing serious challenges in Saudi Arabia, sometimes resulting in death, and a slew of unkept promises by the government to permanently address the issue.