Watch your health and Plan for death, Kenyans told as they raise $30,000 for yet another dead member
Kenyan pastors surround the family of the late Patrick Njenga during a fundraising to repatriate the body of the deceased back to Kenya for burial . pic by Nguyaaii Wa-Mbarii/Ajabu
By Harrison Maina.
LOWELL,Mass._ JANUARY 23_Always united in tragedy, they gathered once again to raise about $30,000 to repatriate the body of yet another member, the late Patrick Njenga also known as Kap Kap who died on Christmas day after a long battle against cancer.
As they answered to the noble call, Kenyans were reminded to monitor their health by taking medical tests and to draw wills in order to avoid problems down the road when the inevitable calls.
The highly successful fundraising was viewed by many people as a surprise coming in the heels of another $40,000 raised in the same area within the previous two weeks for another Kenyan who passed away and had to be repatriated to the motherland as well.
The late Njenga died early Christmas morning after a decade long fight against cancer.
During the fundraising, which took place at the Christ is the Answer Church in North Chelmsford, several hundred well wishers gave out whatever they could, which turned out to be even more than enough to take care of the immediate cash needs for the bereaved family of five left behind by their loving father.
As he took the microphone to lead the deceased’s family in their turn to bring their contributions, the assisting master of ceremonies, David Mambo from Methuen, blasted men in the Kenyan community in the USA for evading regular medical tests once they hit a certain age, making it difficult to detect diseases early enough for effective treatment.
“When you reach a certain age, you need to have regular examinations. You need to be checked out in the rear end and the front,” said the diminutive long time orator in the Kenyan community who sometimes draws fire due to his comments.
Mincing no words mambo castigated Kenyans saying "You don't want to hear the truth because you are too hypocritical".
David Mambo, talking tough aganist spread of preventative diseases among Kenyans in the Diaspora
Often known for his demeanor and combative way of communicating, Mambo said that he was trying very hard not to be too graphical in the church setting but that he wanted everybody to know that many Kenyans have health insurances, paying a lot of money for premiums but do not make use of the benefits, making them susceptible to easily preventative diseases.
He also said that it is time Kenyans in the Diaspora started planning for their deaths since it is coming anyway instead of burdening everyone with financial and legal burdens when they get sick or when they die.
“Our population in America is rising. You need to prepare a will because if you don’t, your assets will be divided according to the way the state decides, and you might also be buried where the state decides,” said Mambo.
The event was hosted by the pastor of the Christ is the answer Church, Rev. John Wachira, and conducted by the Rev. Joseph Waiyaki as the master of ceremonies assisted by David Mambo.
Various Kenyan churches around Massachusetts were represented at the fundraising drive including Saint Michael’s Catholic Church in Lowell which has made their presence felt in the community every time there is a tragedy.
The late Patrick Njenga was a member of the Catholic Church before converting and joining the Christ is the answer church.
Many people who spoke during the event praised the late Patrick as being a friendly man who was always keen at making other people laugh.
After Njenga lost his voice as a result of cancer, he devoted his life to helping other people facing similar problems in Kenya acquire voice assisting devices to ease their communication.
Kenyans line up to put their their donations into the basket held by Moses Mugo, as the mcee, Rev Joseph Waiyaki announces
“He worked very hard to help other people acquire voice assisting devices,” said his youngest daughter, Caroline Njenga when reading the eulogy.
Wilfred Saroni , a relative of the late Njenga, spoke on behalf of the family.
The host pastor, Rev. Wachira, praised the late Njenga as a God fearing person even as his health condition deteriorated.
“I used to visit and pray with Njenga several times a week at the hospital in Boston. We became very close friends and one day, while at his home town of Lowell, Njenga told me that he wants to be a born again Christian,” said Rev. Wachira.
As the late Njenga’s four children and a granddaughter sat close to other family members in the church, Wachira wished them a quick recovery from the loss of their loved one.
"God will provide everything you need and you shall not lack what your husband and father was providing for, as long as you stay close to God,” comforted the pastor.
As the event came to an end, Daniel , delivered a vote of thanks on behalf of the family.
He thanked the organizing committee led by Moses Mugo of Dracut for the tireless effort they did to put together the highly successful fundraising.
“On behalf of the family of the late Patrick Njenga, we deeply thank all the Kenyans and their friends who came and helped us raise the needed funds for a proper and decent burial for the late Njenga,” said Daniel.
A wake was held for the late Njenga at the Morse Baylis funeral home in Lowell on Tuesday last week, and the body was later transported to Kenya and laid to rest on Thursday in his home town of Loitoktok.
