Prior to her funeral on Tuesday, the remains of Kenyan student Sharon Jepkosgei Kigen, who drowned in Australia's River Georges Macquarie while swimming with friends last month, has arrived in Eldoret. Ms. Kigen, who was 28 years old, passed away on February 21. She was two days away from beginning her studies at Catholic University in North Sydney, where she had been awarded a scholarship. Just three months had passed since she first arrived in the nation.
The plane carrying her body, which had been traveling from Australia, landed at the Eldoret International Airport at 7 a.m. on Sunday.
When the hearse carrying the deceased left the airspace and entered the airport's grounds for a brief mass, feelings ran high. The hearse was then moved to the mortuary of Eldoret Hospital in preparation for her burial on Tuesday, March 14. Early on Sunday morning, Ms. Jepkosgei's family members, including her parents, Mr. Francis Kigen and Mrs. Rael Chepkemboi, were waiting to welcome her. Invited clerics would lead mourners who followed them in a brief mass and viewing of the body, which was placed in a white casket.
The casket was opened for the family to examine their daughter's body, who had left Kenya just three months prior to her passing away in a hospital, and they were unable to contain their emotions as they did so.
After then, the hearse transporting her casket would proceed to the morgue at Eldoret Hospital, where her body had been kept alive until Tuesday, March 14, when she would be buried at her parents' house in Kimuchi village, Moiben Constituency, Uasin Gishu County.
The family had spent a lot on her travel costs and had made a request for financial assistance to bring their relative's body home.
On November 21, 2023, Ms. Jepkosgei departed Kenya for Australia in order to continue her IT studies at Catholic University in North Sydney. She died on February 21, 2023.
Prior to her death on February 22, the Kenyatta University and Kapsabet Girls alumna was scheduled to begin studies on February 23.
Emergency services personnel were dispatched to the location following the tragedy, and they were able to rescue her body from the River Georges Macquarie.
The body was discovered and carried to the shoreline after officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol and members of the general public started searching in the water, according to a statement from the Australian NSW Police.
NSW Ambulance paramedics attempted to save her, however it was in vain because she had already passed away.
The deceased's cousin, Noah Chepkok, said it was a terrible time for the family because Ms. Kigen had big aspirations for her siblings.
"The passing of a great person that was brimming with life and compassion has robbed us. She had a bright future for her family's prosperity and educational advancement, and I was the one who welcomed her to Australia. I could not believe she had drowned, said Mr. Chepkok, an Australian resident for the past six years.
She was vivacious 4and an excellent organizer in Kenya and Australia, as evidenced by the large crowds that have been pouring in to offer their condolences and support to the family. She fit in effortlessly with everyone. We will miss her valuable contributions to society, he remarked.
According to him, the Australian Kenyan community provided emotional and monetary assistance, enabling the airlifting of the body back to Kenya.
We shouldn't be deterred from looking for chances elsewhere despite what has transpired. God has distinct plans for each of us, and he designed for Sharon's story to end that way, the minister stated.
According to the deceased's uncle David Kuto, they have scheduled a number of masses to commemorate her life, despite its shortness.
"Despite just having a brief life, she had a bright future. Before she moved to Australia, she was supposed to finish building her family's home in the Kimuchi village and look for chances for her siblings, but we praise God for everything. We also appreciate the media's attention to her story, which helped the family raise money for the body's flight back home, the official added.
"As a family, we've lost a responsible daughter who valued peace and a bright future. She will undoubtedly be missed, he said.
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