Father of 13-year-old boy who succumbed to cancer says he won’t bury him
Kevin Muriungi, who succumbed to cancer last week. His father has refused to provide a place for his burial, claiming he had sold all his land. But family members say the man has a small piece of land on which he lives. FILE PHOTO | DAVID MUCHUI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Kevin, who hailed from Meru, succumbed to cancer of adenitis a night before he was set to be evacuated to Nairobi for treatment.
- He died at Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital after being admitted there through arrangements by the Meru Hospice as they arranged to take him to KNH.
- Kevin had been living in agony with his maternal grandmother after his father who is said to be an alcoholic abandoned him and his younger sister.
- Meru Hospice Coordinator Gladys Mucee said the father of the deceased had claimed that he had sold all his land.
The burial of Kevin Muriungi, who succumbed to cancer last week, has been hit by controversy after his father refused to provide land for his interment.
The 13-year-old cancer patient’s story of suffering had been featured by Nation.co.ke, attracting well-wishers, who sought to assist him before he died.
Kevin, who hailed from Meru, succumbed to cancer of adenitis a night before he was set to be evacuated to Nairobi for treatment.
He was set to get further treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) following the intervention of Trinity Care Centre in Ngong after reading his story on Nation.co.ke.
Kevin died at Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital after being admitted there through arrangements by the Meru Hospice as they arranged to take him to KNH.
The management of Trinity Care Centre described the death as unfortunate as they were ready to help Kevin get better treatment.
The centre has contributed Sh15,000 towards the burial arrangements.
CLAIMED HE SOLD LAND
Speaking to the Nation, Meru Hospice Coordinator Gladys Mucee said the father of the deceased had claimed that he had sold all his land.
Kevin had been living in agony with his maternal grandmother after his father who is said to be an alcoholic abandoned him and his younger sister.
The late Kevin’s plight came to the limelight after a Good Samaritan took him to Meru Hospice last month.
“We had started burial arrangements last week but it emerged that the father does not want to bury his late son.
"The grandmother was not ready to bury her grandson because the father is alive,” Ms Mucee said.
She said the matter has been referred to the area chief to enable the family provide a final resting place for Kevin.
Ms Josphine Makena, an aunt of the deceased told the Nation by phone that the family was meeting to address the burial hitch.
“The father is yet to allow the son to be buried in his land. The family members are meeting to address the matter. The late Kevin’s father has a small piece of land where he lives,” Ms Makena said.
Kevin’s grandmother, Jacinta Kabithi has complained that his son-in-law had earlier also refused to bury her daughter (Kevin's mother) on his land.
She died after a short illness 10 years ago.
Kevin was diagnosed with cancer of adenitis with a post-nasal tumour at Chaaria Mission Hospital in September 2014 and was referred to KNH for further treatment.
The boy had been suffering searing pain, with the tumour having blocked his nasal cavity while the right eye was blinded by the swelling.
