Ajabu Africa News

PHOTO:

Friends of the late David Macharia (Davie), a young Kenyan man who died last week after 9 years bedridden at several area rehabs for a traumatic brain injury following a domestic squabble with his wife back in 2007. Ajabu Photo/H.Maina

By:

Harison Maina

Posted:

Apr,01-2016 06:56:05

Scores of friends and well wishers raised over $13,000 to send the body of the late David Macharia (Davie) back to Kenya for burial, ending a 9 year journey of pain for the father of one who suffered a brain injury following a domestic squabble with his then wife back in 2007.

During the event that took place at the St. Stephens church in Lowell last Saturday, a memorial service and wake was also held where friends and family paid their final respects for the departed Kenyan.

The memorial and wake service was led by Bishop Joshua Wambua of the rapture Harvest church International based in Wakefield in conjunction with Rev. Samuel Kimohu of the St. Stephens church, while the fund raiser was led by Patrick Kaba, a close family friend of the deceased.

Pastors lead in a prayer for the family of the late David Macharia. AJABU PHOTO/H.MAINA

Also present was the late Macharia's Tito Macharia who immigrated to the US to take care of his brother immediately he suffered the fatal injury, as well as another elder brother who flew in from the United Kingdom for the event.

During the service, many speakers remembered the late Macharia (40) who lived in Revere at the time of the incident as a happy, kind and ambitious young man who will be dearly missed.

The late Macharia suffered the fatal brain injury while in police custody in February 2007 shortly after he was arrested following a domestic altercation with his then wife, prompting the family to sue the city of Revere for damages as well as a physician at the Whidden memorial hospital in Everett for medical malpractice. Both lawsuits weresettled for a total of $3.75 millon.

However, despite the settlements, Macharia's injuries left him permanently disabled, requiring round the clock care at various highly skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers for about 9 years.

Among the facilities where the late Macharia spent time were the Spaulding Nursing and Rehab in Boston, Tewksbury Nursing and Rehab, Pilgrim's Rehab and Nursing center in Peabody and Blue Berry Hill Nursing & Rehab Center where he passed away.

He leaves behind an 12 year old son, Solomon.

Mike Mbae, On behalf of the family of the late Macharia, Bishop Wambua, Patrick Kaba as well as Rev. Kimohu thanked Kenyans and well wishers who responded to the call for funds and prayers to help ship the body back to Kenya as per family wishes.

The body of the late Kenyan will be laid to rest at his rural village of Ngoingwa, near Thika town in central Kenya.