The government has come under heavy criticism for allegedly failing to facilitate the burial of GSU officer who lost his life while fighting terrorists who raided DusitD2 hotel in Nairobi last week.
Japhet Ndunguja Nuru, 28, was shot dead while saving the lives of tens of Kenyans and other foreigners who came under attack when suspected Al-Shabaab militants stormed the high-end hotel and killed at least 21 people.
According to an obituary appearing in one of the local dailies, Nuru's family is conducting a fundraiser to enable them to give their son a befitting send-off.
"The main fundraiser will be held on Wednesday 22/01/2019. Contributions may be channeled to Mpesa Paybill number 566010 A/C no. Japhet Funeral Fund," read part of the obituary.
The young officer will be laid to rest on Saturday at his home in Kimala Village, Taita Taveta County.
The announcement angered some Kenyans who wondered why the government couldn't facilitate the burial of the 'hero' who died while in the line of duty instead of letting the family go through the agony of conducting a fundraiser.
"Someone who died defending our freedoms shouldn’t be begging for funds to be buried. My people please send whatever you have to the listed PayBill number and help the family of this officer give him a befitting sendoff," said blogger Robert Alai in a Tweet.
"Why and how can a responsible government allow such a hero to do fundraising? How now?" posed Governor Nathanrobe M ole'Nganga on Facebook.
Festus Pitah Wambugu remarked: "Why would we have a fundraiser for such a hero? The Government should take full responsibility, offer his wife a job (if he had one) pay their children’s school fees and supply them with school uniforms.
Or rather, pick one sibling and offer him a job for him to continue with the support that Japhet was giving the parents. Get a long term solution and something they will live to remember and honor Japhet for."
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