Sweden September 14th 2006.
To Kiboi’s and Catherine’s Families and all Friends of Hon. J. N. Kiboi, Ole Ng’ais Jeff Saidimu Sara Nalotuesha Dylan Memusi, fellow Kenyans and other friends of Ole Kiboi’s family.
I am hereby sending our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased brother of ours Hon. Ole Kiboi James. Hon. Kiboi was reported to have died in a fire accident in Oslo, Norway the morning of Sunday 10th September 2006. The shocking reality about the death of Mr. Kiboi is still difficult to swallow. Kenyan brothers and sisters here in Sweden have been gathering at Ole Kiboi’s home to support his family to go through this sorrowful and painful moment. Kiboi’s wife, son and daughter are all fine and strong. They have been left with no choice but to fight the pain of loosing a good father, husband and a very generous man. We all share in the pain and pray to the living God to give strength to the family, friends and all who care during this time of shock and sorrow.
James was a very close friend, fellow countryman and tribesman who showed many different perspectives of life. We all enjoyed his presence and wise way of being with people. He was a true Kenyan servant. Due to Kiboi’s way of interacting with Kenyans, many of us in Sweden enjoyed his company. Together with his loving colleagues at the Kenyan Embassy, James always revealed a sense of high quality character, simplicity and professionalism. He was a man with both feet on the ground. Kiboi was a very ambitious individual with charisma and thought for future development. He shared very intelligent ideas for the good of developing our society.
We will, with outermost respect for James, continue his good work and finish what he started. I am personally disappointed and terribly sad that he has been taken away from me and from all of us at a very early stage. Personally, it was a blessing to receive Ole Kiboi from Kenya after having been in Sweden for a long time as a lone Maasai man, although interacting with my fellow Kenyans.
He brought me a joyful moment and freedom of speaking my own mother tongue in a foreign country. Language is one’s identity, culture and comfort. My friends would switch to their mother tongue living me uncertain and getting sad that I didn’t have anybody whom I could speak Kimaasai with.
Things changed all over sudden when, by sheer coincidence, two black men – James and another fellow Kenyan called Mohammed – appeared just close to the subway at Fruängen during one evening. My wife, Nalotuesha Sara (a Maasai name meaning “The one Who came with rain”) and Anne a Swedish friend of ours, were returning home after having missed a south African theatre session at Fruängen. We were late with two minutes.
I saw two black men standing, one of them pointing at me and tending to explain something to the other one. Mohammed joyfully jumped and hugged me, saying that I will never be alone again!! Eero!! Salimia Maasai mwenzako!! Sasa unaweza kuongea kimaasai!!. (Eero!! Say high to your fellow Maasai. Now, you can speak Maasai language). From that time onwards, I have known James Kiboi, respected him and loved him as my fellow countryman and a true brother.
Myself, like many others, are devastated by the early departure of James. We are all left with so many unanswered questions. Why, why why and why this early when he was just at the state of prime productivity? He will for sure live to be remembered and loved even in his physical absence. I pray to God to protect his family for him and give his wife strength to bring up his little loving children. His legacy leaves on!!! may his soul rest in peace.
To Ole Kiboi’s Family;May God Bless and grant you His peace during this time. God put you there for a reason. God does not do mistakes. He only does his job for the good of us all. Every step brings us closer to eternity. None can be retraced. At the end, when your last step has been taken away, your story will be complete. Those you leave behind will remember portions of your life as they, not you, choose to recall.
Love.
By MaasaiWarrior, Ole Ng’ais J. Saidimu.
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