This archive report was first published on 9 June 2020.
Gospel singer Ruth Matete has been fighting to have the remains of her deceased husband, Pastor John Apewajoye, released for burial for nearly two months.
According to her lawyer, Robert Odanga, Matete has been fundraising to pay for two hospital bills at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Beleview Hospital where Apewajoye was treated before he died.
Matete's lawyer stated in a letter to the Nigerian High Commission that his client was not fighting to bury the body in Kenya but wanted to finish the process and move on with her life. The decision on where the body would be buried was always up to the family of the deceased in Nigeria.
Matete's lawyer also stated that his client was no longer interested in the body of the deceased and would not lay a claim on it. She would not be paying any morgue fees whatsoever and would not be held hostage by anyone in regard to the subject matter.
Apewajoye's body has been lying at KNH mortuary since April 11, 2020, after the Nigerian High Commission in Nairobi blocked its release.
Apewajoye, 42, died on April 11 at KNH, where he was receiving medication for burns he suffered while he was reportedly trying to fix a gas cylinder at their home in Great Wall estate in Athi River on March 30, 2020.
