A meeting of Kenyans in Stockholm is being planned following the demise of Mr. Onyango Sumba who ended his Stockholm exile in September 2002 and returned to Kenya. After several consultations, it has been decided that a Committee be formed to organize a function where Kenyans can pay their last respects and chip in to assist the funeral arrangements that have been swung into action in Kenya by Mr. Sumba’s relatives.
Mr. Sumba’s family including his two sons, reside in Sweden and they will have to travel home to bury their father. News about Mr. Sumba’s death shocked many Kenyans especially folowing reports that he was improving after emerging from coma at Kenyatta National hospital.
In the meantime, the estimated time of burial of Mr. Sumba is either 25th or 31st October. A source that is in contact with the family and who spoke to KSB said that there are many factors being considered by the family ahead of the burial. KSB has learnt that Prime Minister Raila Odinga was informed about the passing of Mr. Sumba who is known to have been one of the Prime Minister’s best friends.
Both Mr. Sumba and Mr. Odinga are documented as having been involved in the organization of the August 1st 1982 coup which was crashed by forces loyal to the former dictatorship of President Daniel arap Moi before Mr. Sumba fled to exile while Raila Odinga was sent to detention. The two are known to have been the only civilians who were linked to coup leaders like Hezekiah Ochuka who was hanged by Moi in 1986 after being repatriated from Tanzania. Further information about the Kenya-Stockholm meeting will be released as soon as they become available.
Okoth Osewe
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