BOSTON, Mass. , APRIL 19_A Kenyan man from Lowell, Mass. who has been hospitalized since late last year with cancer has passed away.
Mr. Stephen Ngaruiya Munene, 64, passed away early Saturday morning, April 17 th, at around 7.45 am , a few minutes before his wife and family entered the hospital to pay him a visit.
He leaves behind his wife, Nancy Rachael Ngaruiya (wa-munene) and there children, Irene Munene, Anthony Ngaruiya and Martin Ngaruiya.
Munene’s devastated family is requesting the Kenyan community to help raise funds to transport the body back home, with a fund raising event scheduled to take place at the Saint Stephen’s church in Lowell this coming Sunday, at 3pm.
Ngaruiya , who himself had worked to save lives as a Health Clinical Education Officer in Kenya, has been under the care of doctors since 2008 at several hospitals including the Lowell General Hospital, Brigham and women’s hospital , and the Dana Faber cancer institute both in Boston, as he tried to beat the cancer disease.
Munene’s condition deteriorated over the months and he was consequentially transferred to the Boston Center Rehabilitation hospice where he passed away.
Lately, the cancer disease has been claiming the lives of many Kenyans in the Diaspora, both young and old, and in almost every neighborhood, leaving many Kenyans wondering what makes the incidence so high and so indiscriminate.
The late Stephen Ngaruiya Munene of Lowell, Ma.
In the latest blow to the community, a 36 year old soon to be father of one passed away two weeks ago from complications of colon cancer. His body was transported to Kenya within days of his death and the burial took place on Thursday at his father’s farm in Maragua, Muranga District in central Kenya.
Many Kenyans interviewed by Ajabu Afirca.com, including many learned Kenyan doctors and nurses think that the change in diet from organic foods they used to eat in Africa to processed foods in America may be a leading trigger, which together with the stressful living situations in America sets off the cancer cells regeneration.
Coming barely a week after the death of the young Kenyan, Munene’s death adds to the agony of the community struggling to seek answers.
Although many people contend that it is normal for death rate in any given community to rise with the rise in the population of that particular community, the many deaths associated with cancer in the Kenyan community in America seem to be out of the ordinary.
Many pastors and ordinary Kenyans have called for intensified prayers for the deceased families and for a slowed rate of death.
Other experts in other areas have called on Kenyans to realize that they need to watch their styles of living in terms of increased health screening, improved organic diet in their foods, and financial protections in form of all sorts of insurance including short term disability and life insurance. However, this only works when someone is are healthy before tragedy strikes, when it is already too late to take precautionary measure.
However, for those unlucky to be terminally diseased before they get themselves covered, like the late Munene, the loving community always comes to their rescue in the spirit of never tiring form doing good, thus helping with funds for medical bills and in final expenses.
Nancy Rachael Ngaruiya (wa-munene), the wife of the late Stephen Ngaruiya Munene, together with her sister bow in prayer during a fundrasing held late last year at the Saint Stephen's church in Lowell
In November last year, a fund raising was held at the Saint Stephens church in Lowell to seek funds to assist the family of the late Munene pay for the mounting hospital and domestic bills since their father and husband started undergoing tests and treatment, back in the year 2008.
A total of 15,000 were raised during the event.
However, according to Munene’s daughter, Irene, her father’s wish was to be buried in Kenya and therefore the family is again at the mercy of the community to seek funds to transport the body to Kenya.
Speaking to Ajabu Africa News, Irene said that they have already depleted the money they raised with the medical bills and are in dire need for help to transport the body back home for a proper burial.
A fundraising has been scheduled to take place this coming Sunday at the same saint Stephen’s church venue in Lowell where Munene used to worship.
Paryers are being held daily at the late Munene's apartment in Dracut at 247 18th st, apt 203, Dracut Ma 01826 from 6pm - 8pm
The fundraising commitee led by Alois Njenga requests friends and well wishers to attend the fundraing for their departed colleague, and for those who may not make it to the actual fundraising, funds may be deposited at:
Bank of America Name: Irene Munene Checking A/C # : 004628454949
Routing #: 011000138
Massachusetts
For more info, call : Rachel Munene : (978) 606-6494
Irene Munene : (978) 996-1087
