A grieving grandmother from Murang’a County is desperately reaching out to Kenyans for help after the death of her granddaughter in Saudi Arabia left the family with a KSh 500,000 repatriation bill and no means to pay it.
Lucy Wairimu Kamau, from Kiairathe village in Kangema, lost her granddaughter Alice Njeri Wambui, who had travelled to Saudi Arabia in search of work.
Family Racing Against Deadline
Alice passed away there, and her body remains abroad as the family struggles to raise the funds needed to bring her home for a dignified burial.
The family has been given until October 15 to settle the repatriation costs. Lucy fears that missing this deadline could leave Alice’s remains stranded far from home, denying her the send-off she deserves among her loved ones in Kangema.
“We are appealing to friends, relatives, Kenyans and well-wishers to stand with us during this painful moment and help bring Alice home,” the elderly grandmother said.
The situation has been made all the more difficult by the circumstances Alice left behind. She had been supporting a child currently in Grade 10, and with Alice now gone, Lucy has taken on the responsibility of caring for that child.
Grandmother Now Sole Caregiver
To compound the family’s grief, the child’s father also passed away before Alice, leaving Lucy as the only remaining figure of support for the young student despite having no income of her own.
The weight of loss on this family is heavy. Lucy, at an age when many grandmothers lean on younger relatives for support, now finds herself shouldering both the cost of repatriation and the daily care of a school-going child.
Every contribution towards the KSh 500,000 target, however small, brings Alice one step closer to resting in peace on Kenyan soil.
Anyone wishing to assist Lucy Wairimu Kamau and the family in repatriating Alice Njeri Wambui’s remains from Saudi Arabia is encouraged to reach out and contribute towards the effort before the October 15 deadline.
