This archive report was first published on 27 July 2019.
July 27, 2019, marked a tragic day for the family of Bernard Shinali, the Ikolomani Member of Parliament. His 35-year-old son, Chris Atema, lost his life in a drowning incident in Arizona, USA.
Atema, a marine soldier in the US Army, was on holiday with his family when the incident occurred. He was attempting to rescue a young Canadian girl who was struggling in the water at a swimming pool.
Despite his heroic efforts, Atema did not survive. The girl, however, was rescued and is reportedly in stable condition at a local hospital.
According to Robert Ayisi, MP Shinala's elder brother, the family received news of Atema's death from a relative who works with him in the Navy. Ayisi stated, “We received the news about his death from a relative who works with him in the Navy. Masaka stays and works in Illinois State but had traveled to Arizona for a holiday with his family when he met his sudden death.”
Plans are underway to have Atema's body airlifted to Kenya for burial. His wife is nine months pregnant and was expecting to deliver before the end of the week.
