Kenya Stockholm Blog

Bereaved Flo Arrives In Kenya For Father’s Funeral

Florence Akoth, a Kenya who lost her father last week, arrived in Kenya on Monday this week for the funeral. On Saturday, Kenyans gathered at Flo’s residence at Bålsta to mourn with the bereaved family and to offer any kind of support. Several Kenyans attended the event. Flo travelled to Kenya with her sister Lillian on the same flight.

Addressing the gathering, Prisca Försman, a Kenyan, told the audience that Flo was a very hard working person. She regretted the loss of Flo’s father and asked Kenyans to pray for the family. Prisca is a member of “Maendeleo Ya Wanawake” which is active in Stockholm. Prisca said that the big turn out at the event was a signal that Kenyans and friends liked Flo and family. “People don’t come to this kind of event in large numbers if they don’t love you”, she said.

The mourners were also addressed by Mrs Hellen Opwapo, the Chairlady of ODM-Scandinavia. Mrs Opwapo said that she had known Flo for a long time and added that losing a close relative was not easy to deal with. She hoped that the family would have the stamina to go through the process of mourning. She said that bereavements are part of life and which everybody had to face at different points in time.

The occasion was presided over by Flo’s family in conjunction with the Kenya Support Network in Sweden (KESNET), an organization that was formed by a group of Kenyans four years ago to help members whenever they are bereaved. Flo is the Treasurer of the group while Charles Otieno Owiyo is the Chairperson.

Despite the mourning mood, Kenyans from all walks of life shared stories and got time to reconnect after a long time. There was plenty of food and drinks and some Kenyans killed the night at the residence. There was no major incident although at one point, a Kenyan male was deemed to have been out of order after he took one too many.

Okoth Osewe

May 14, 2008 Posted by makozewe | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment