$40,000 Raised for late Pioneer Kenyan Immigrant

Story contributed by Nguyaii Wa-Mbarii and Harrison Maina, Ajabu Africa News

LOWELL, Mass. , DECEMBER 31_They travelled from from different cities in New England and as far as New Jersey and California to come and answer a noble call. Over 500 Kenyans came together and contributed over $40,000 for the burial expenses for one of the first Kenyans to arrive and settle in America.

The late Wainaina Ngotho, popularly known as Mr.T, passed away last Thursday, in the company of his loving family, after a long illness. He was 59 years old.

The fundraising ceremony took place on Sunday at the PCEA Ushindi church, in Lowell, shortly after a memorial service at the same venue.

It was coordinated by Rev. Dr. Karimi Mumbui, pastor of the church, Kibathi Gaturu, the late Ngotho’s in-law, and Ben Mbugua, Ngotho’s friend.

Ngotho leaves behind a wife, Anne Njeri and 3 children, Njeri Wainaina, Ngotho Wainaina and Wanjiru Wainaina, all who sat quietly at the second front pew during the memorial service close to other relatives and friends.

Reading the obituary for the late Ngoto, a long time friend who had traveled all the way from California, Maj. James Kagwathi (retired) told mourners that the late Ngotho was a great man who was extremely friendly, social, humble and generous.

“When I came to America 17 years ago, friends in Kenyan just gave me Mr. T’s phone number and I was told to call him when I arrived here and the rest will be taken care of,” said Major Kagwathi.

“When I arrived, T picked me up from the airport, brought me to his house and helped me figure out everything else about settling in America,” added the retired Kenya Army soldier.

He added that the late Ngotho touched the lives of many other Kenyans with his generosity; a deed that was reciprocated by the high turnout of Kenyans at the memorial and fund raising service.

The late Ngotho arrived in the US in the early 1980 after theological studies in the Mediterranean country of Greece.

Once in the US, Ngotho settled in Jamaica Plain, a suburb of Boston in Massachusetts. He was enrolled at the Hellenic college at a time when there were virtually less than 10 known Kenyans settled in America and when black immigrants faced serious racial challenges.

In 1985, he returned to Kenya and married to his wife, Njeri. The couple then returned to the US and was blessed with their first two children while still living in Boston.

Later, the family relocated north to the city of Lowell, where they continued their family life.

During the fundraising, speaker after speaker showered praises of the late Ngotho’s friendly actions when he was alive.

“He touched the lives of so many of us,” said Kibathi Gaturu of Worcester, who is married to Ngotho’s niece, after Ngotho invited her to the US.

”He was a jovial, happy go lucky type of a guy who would go out of his way to help anyone facing any problem. We will miss him dearly,” added Gaturu.

Mr. T was a blessing to many of us, and we will miss him dearly, said John Njoroge who brought a donation of $2,000 from friends in the state of New Jersey.

“T was very funny and generous. I came to know him after he came with a friend to my wedding long time ago and I overheard him asking people, “who is getting married here,” said Njau Chege who had come from Fitchburg to pay his final respects to the late Ngotho.

Preaching during the memorial service, Rev. Samuel Kimohu, pastor of Saint Stephen’s church told Kenyans that as they mourn the death of Ngotho, they should remember that death was brought into the human beings after the original sin by Adam and Eve.

He therefore asked Kenyans to live Godly lives so that they may live even after going through the physical death.

Over a dozen pastors representing many churches attended the event, bringing donations from their congregations. Among the churches represented were St. Stephen's Church, St. Michael's Catholic Church, Hosanna Gospel center, Grace International Church, CCF church, all from Lowell, St. Paul's Community Church from Lawrence Christ is the Answer Church from North Chelmsford and Rapture Harvest Mission Church from Wakefield.

Members of the PCEA Ushindi Church, where the late Ngotho used to attend, led the fundraising, and were hailed by many as been extremely gracious in their hosting, feeding the guests to their fill.

The fundraising committee raised about $17,000 in the one week leading to the fundraising day, which together with the total collected on Sunday, amounted to slightly over 40,000.

We have exceeded the target for this fundraising and therefore Mr. T will be able to be laid to rest in Kenya according to his will,” said Kibathi Gaturu, one of the mcees.

Cleary touched by the long illness suffered by the late Ngotho, Kibathi asked Kenyan men to consult their doctors frequently so that some of the potential health problems can be arrested before they become irreversible.

The event ended with an emotional vote of thanks by Henry Githinji, the chairman of the fundraising committee to various people who played important roles at making the ceremonies a success.
"God is miracles, God has come today and we’re all on our knees because of this,” said Githinji.

He thanked people who traveled from out of states, pastors, and friends from all over who were brought together because of Ngotho's death.

Githinji said it was a miracle for all those people to come together and help the family of the departed to make Ngotho’s final journey to Kenya possible. "Happiness is victory in the Lord," said Mr. Githinji.

Ngotho’s wake was held last night at the Morse Bayliss Funeral home in Lowell, and his body was on the final preparations for the journey to Kenya.