This archive report was first published on 10 May 2021.
Tragic Christmas ¶
As Kenyans prepared for a subdued Christmas in 2020, a family in Tabani village, Bungoma County, was gripped with worry over their kin, Sebezia Killong.
Unlike previous years, 47-year-old Ms. Killong went silent, and her family's communication with her ceased on December 22, 2020.
Ms. Killong had moved to Nairobi from Eldoret in August 2020 to start a cloth-selling business.
Her family, desperate for answers, started a search for her, visiting various hospitals and police stations, including Eldoret Police Station on January 11, Ngong Police Station on January 16, and Kabete Police Station on January 29.
It was not until the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) got involved that the family was able to track down Ms. Killong's home in Kangemi using the Kenya Power token payment system.
Stolen Phone and Lonely Burial ¶
According to the DCI, Ms. Killong's mobile phone had been stolen by a patient who slept next to her at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where she had been admitted under unclear circumstances.
The patient, who is helping police with investigations, allegedly admitted taking the phone from Ms. Killong after she suspected that she had died in the bed next to hers.
Despite the family's frequent visits to KNH, the hospital denied admitting a person fitting Ms. Killong's description.
However, a letter from KNH revealed that Ms. Killong was admitted on December 20, 2020, in Ward 8D and died on December 28 while undergoing treatment.
A burial permit was issued on the same day she died without a record of her kin or her home.
The family has now sought legal redress over the mysterious death of their kin and her burial at Lang'ata Cemetery.
Seeking Answers ¶
The family wants to be given the body of their daughter to be laid to rest in a decent send-off and is seeking a post-mortem to unravel the truth behind her death and the subsequent lonely burial.
