Cancer Takes another Kenyan Man, $25,000 needed to repatriate body

The late Julius Maingi Mburu of Delaware

By Richard Mutumba, Ajabu Africa news, posted October 23

NEWARK, DE_The unrelenting cancer disease has visited the Kenyan community in Delaware, this time taking with it a 36 year-old Kenyan man.

Julius Maingi Mburu passed away on Wednesday in Newark, Delaware after a long battle with cancer of the throat.

According to a close friend of the deceased, Rueben Kariuki Chege, Mburu was diagnosed with cancer of the throat about three and a half years ago after he complained of persistent headaches.

“Unfortunately, when cancer was discovered it was at stage four, meaning it was at advanced stage and had spread to other parts of his body. Mburu was immediately put on chemo-therapy,” Chege told Ajabu Africa.com.

Chege however said Mburu continued to get weaker and weaker.

Throat cancer occurs in the larynx (voice box) and pharynx (throat), which includes the base of the tongue and tonsils. The cancer often develops from squaumous cells (flat, thin, scale-like cells) on the moist tissue lining the larynx, pharynx or mouth.

According to medical reports, throat cancer usually develops in adults over 50, and men are 10 times more likely than women to develop the disease.

Worldwide, there are approximately 290,000 cases of throat cancer each year. An examination of the neck and throat may show the presence of the cancer. Generally speaking, cancer begins in cells - the body's basic unit of life.

Experts say throat cancers can be cured in 90% of patients if detected early. If the cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or lymph nodes in the neck, 50 - 60% of patients can be cured. If the cancer has spread (metastasized) to parts of the body outside the head and neck, the cancer is not curable and treatment is aimed at prolonging and improving quality of life.

The son of Margaret and John M. Muaura, a prominent businessman in Thika, central Kenya, Mburu was born in October of 1974 and come to the United States of America in 1999 for further studies.

But due to circumstances beyond his control, Mburu was not able to continue with school, according to a close friend, Reuben Kariuki Chege. Mburu instead went into auto business where he has been a co-owner of SG Auto works in Delaware.

 Mburu then met and later married Rachel Mburu in 2008.

“Mburu’s parents visited him recently. When his father saw him, he advised him to seek immediate medical attention,” Chege said.

He said Mburu was then admitted at Christiana hospital in Delaware. “His mother then returned to Kenya two weeks ago. Unfortunately on Wednesday at 5.25PM, Mburu passed away,” the shocked Chege said.

The grieving wife of the deceased, Rachel Mburu told Ajabu Africa.com that Mburu’s body is currently at Stranon & Seeley Funeral home at 635 Church Mans Road, Newark, Delaware.

 A cousin to Cecily Wamunyu of the Ushindi church in Lowell, Mass, Mburu started school at the Memorial primary school in Thika then joined Chania high school also in Thikah, where he graduated in 1994. Mburu later joined Thika Technical school where he studied electronics.
 In 1999, he immigrated to the USA.

And according to the organizing committee viewing of the body has been arranged to take place on Saturday October 23 from 4 – 6pm to be followed by a fundraising ceremony at the New Life Worship Center at 60 Fir Avenue in Bear, Delaware to raise $25,000 needed to repatriate the body back to Kenya on Thursday for burial soon after.

Mburu’s body will be accompanied by his young brother Samuel Mburu Kabombe and another organizing committee member.

Friends and well wishers are requested to send donations to a dedicated Bank account listed below to help wiht the repatriation of the departed Kenyan back home for burial.

Julius Mburu Memorial Fund
Bank of America
Account Number:3830-0700-4289
Routing Number: 031202084

May the lord rest Mburu's life in eternal peace
For more information, contact:
(845) 300-1046
(302) 897- 0688
(978) 408- 9384

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