This archive report was first published on 9 July 2020.
Published on July 9, 2020, the Nigerian High Commission to Kenya has granted consent for the release of Pastor John Apewajoye's body to his wife Ruth Matete for burial, bringing an end to a three-month wait.
However, the burial plans have hit a snag due to an outstanding medical bill amounting to over Sh600,000, which has accumulated to Sh677,000 as of the last week of June.
The bill, which includes body storage fees, has been a major hurdle in the burial process. The Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) had declined a request from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to waive the body storage fees, citing a hospital policy that prohibits waivers of that particular amount.
Matete, who is pregnant with Apewajoye's child, was questioned by homicide detectives in relation to his death. The public perception against her has made it difficult for her to carry out her daily activities, including launching her album, teaching at her music school, or preaching at her church.
According to Matete's lawyer Robert Odanga, 'At the moment everything is at a standstill, she cannot launch her album, teach at her music school or preach at her church with the dark cloud hanging over her name. The public perception is stacked against her.'
Apewajoye, 42, died on April 11th at KNH, where he was receiving medication for burns he suffered while allegedly trying to fix a gas cylinder at their home in Great Wall estate in Athi River on March 30th.
An autopsy showed that Apewajoye succumbed to multiple organ failure occasioned by the burn injuries he sustained in the fire incident. Chief Government Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor said the deceased suffered 60 percent burns.
