Kenya Stockholm Blog

Owili Family Back from Kenya After Funeral

Family Says “Thank You Very Much”

The late Owili: Smooth burial in Kenya

The family of the late Mr. Philip Owili Ongaro has returned from Kenya after the burial of their loved family member who passed away in Stockholm. Speaking to KSB, Mrs. Jane Owili, the widow, said that the family returned last week shortly before the New Year.

She told KSB that the family was very grateful for the huge support they got from Kenyans, friends and well wishers following the abrupt departure of Mr. Owili. A fund raising that was called to help collect cash for the transportation of Mr. Owili’s body to Kenya raised 42.000 Kr overnight.

“We are very grateful for the support from everybody”, Mrs. Owili told KSB. She said that the burial went on well and that Mr. Owili’s friends came from all over the world to give him a final send-off. Reports from the funeral indicated that the late Owili’s home was filled to capacity with mourners who had come to pay their last respects to Mr. Owili.

From Nairobi, the body was flown to Kisumu from where it was transported to Mr. Owili’s home village in South Nyanza by road. Mrs. Owili said that members of the Owili family recognized the big role Kenyans in Stockholm played in helping transport the body of the late Owili to Kenya. Among those who gave speeches at the funeral was Mr. Owili’s eldest son who was accompanied by his brother and two sisters.

Mrs. Owili said that the family was well received back home and added that Mr. Owili’s children had been greatly inspired by the love and affection from family members. Mrs. Owili told KSB that the burial went on smoothly.

The Owili Funeral Committee that was set up in Stockholm will meet tomorrow, Saturday January 9th from 15 hrs to address any pending issues and to dissolve itself since its mandate was now over. The Committee is headed by Mrs. Hellen Opwapo who is also the Chairlady of ODM Scandinavia. Mrs. Opwapo has been in the United States and it is not clear whether she has returned. All Committee members have been invited to the meeting which will take place at the residence of the Owilis in Stockholm’s Central Business District.

Okoth Osewe

January 8, 2010 - Posted by makozewe | News & Analysis