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By:
HARRISON MAINA | |||||||||
| Posted:
Mar,19-2018 23:12:31
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FRAMINGHAM, MA__Victor Odhiambo Ang'awa, a 32 year old member of the Kenyan community in Boston was found dead Sunday evening in his apartment in Framingham, shocking the small but rapidly growing community hit by a string of other deaths in the past few weeks. According to close family sources, Ang'awa who only graduated last summer with a Bachelor's Degree from Cambridge College and had worked barely for two months as Investment Analyst with a local bank was found dead on the floor of his apartment by his landlord out to check a heating system in the apartment. However, before his shocking discovery, the young Kenyan had been seen 30-60 minutes earlier going about his business in the compound. "The landlord who lives in the same building told me that Victor had called him earlier in the morning to come and fix a heat issue in the apartment. He found Victor sitting on his couch and asked him how he was doing, to which Victor responded "I am Ok"', said Dr. Washingtone Ochieng, a Harvard University Scholar and brother-in-law to the late Ang'awa during a phone interview with Ajabu Africa News. Having known the later Ang'awa as a very vigorous and jolly person, the landlord said he thought the Kenyan looked rather unusual on that day, but decided not to press him further. About half an hour later, around 6pm, the landlord decided to go back downstairs to Victor’s apartment for another welfare check. "Unfortunately, he found him lying on the floor dead.The Landlord then called 911 emergency responders who upon arrival, tried in vain to resuscitate him," added Dr. Ochieng. Framingham police was immediately informed of the death. Officers and emergency crews responded immediately and initiated investigations. The body was then moved to the medical examiner's office in Boston for autopsy. "We don't know what happened! Victor has been a very active, lovely and energetic man looking ahead into career advancement. He left a lot of his ambitions hanging in unanswered questions. Death can be very cruel and carefree. We are just patiently waiting for the medical examiner's report and police investigations for answers," said Dr. Ochieng. The late Ang'awa leaves behind his parents, Professor Francis Ang'awa, a former Dean at Maseno University, now a senior administrator at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University, his mother, Pamela Ang'awa, elder brother, Jack Ang'awa all who reside back in Kenya. He was cousin to Dorothy J. Ochieng, wife to Dr. Ochieng of Westborough, MA . Shocked family and friends, including many from different African countries in the Ajabu Diaspora Network Think Tank and Support Group, a group of over 200 African immigrants who debate ways to create diaspora grown solutions for many of the social, political, economic and cultural problems facing Africans in the Diaspora--and where the late Victor was a member--have expressed dismay at the sudden death of yet another youthful and promising Kenyan in the Diaspora. Barely a month ago, another 26 year old Kenyan died after he allegedly fell off a window from his 4th floor apartment in Malden Massachusetts in circumstances that have not yet been made clear. "So sorry! So full of life and promise and now gone. May he RIP!" wrote Benard Kishoiyian from Tampa Bay, Florida. "May he rest in peace and may God comfort his family and friends," said Nancy Ndunda of Boston. Victor will be moved to the Morse Bayliss Funeral Home in Lowell Mass as the immediate family and friends scramble to set up funeral plans and memorial to be announced soon. The late Angawa who hailed from Bondo, Western Kenya from where both of his parents flew in for his graduation ceremony held at the Blue Hills Bank pavilion on the Seaport District of Downtown Boston. The death hits the family hard particularly as his brother in law. Dr. Ochieng has been struggling with severe back and foot injuries sustained during a terrorist related incident at Strathmore University in Kenya in November 2015 where as a Harvard Scholar, he had established a vibrant HIV research program and was visiting the campus for his official duties. Ochieng has been in and out of hospital in Boston without much success even after persevering 6 major surgeries to date. "It is very tough and traumatic for my family. Victor was part of us and he stood in to take care of my 7-year old daughter when my wife flew to Kenya to be at my bedside after the terrorist related incident- he has always been there for us in hard and happy times. It is an immeasurable loss for his Dad and Mum back home who had entrusted me to be Victor's 'Father-figure in the U.S. No one in our household can cope with his loss, but God still remains faithful in it all," he added sorrowfully. Family and friends described the late Ang'awa as a happy man who loved making friends across multiple communities and sporting events. "Very sad news. May he rest in eternal peace," added Anne Cardosi from Lowell, MA. A funeral planning committee was hurriedly put together has announced that daily prayers will take place at Dr. Ochieng's house located at 35 Summer st Apt 2M in Westborough, MA 01581 every day from 6pm-8pm. A memorial and fund raiser has been planned to take place on Saturday March 17 at a venue to be communicated soon. A Wake will take place at the Morse Bayliss Funeral home in Lowell at a date to be announced soon before the body is repatriated back to Kenya to its final resting place. "We are urging all Kenyans and well wishers to come and help raise funds to help send the body back home for a decent burial. It is a very sad and unexpected situation but we are hopeful that friends will turn out to help in this hour of need," said Shadrack Ondo, chairman of the funeral planning committee. Donations can also be sent via Cash App to $JessDot (Dorothy Ochieng- 1-508-471-8405) or to via Bank of America deposit with Wahingtone Ochieng, Checking Account #: 0046-1491-5419. For More info, contact: Shadrack Ondo- Chairman:857-244-3875 Viva Inyagwa-Secretary:508-579-2745 Abel Okoth-Financial management:508-933-2262 | |||||||||
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Source:
AJABU AFRICA NEWS
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