Sonko Offers Hearse To Transport Body Of 10-Year-Old Kilifi Girl Who Died Of Anaemia At KNH

• The relatives of the 10-year-old Kilifi girl whose remains have been lying at KNH due to unpaid fees can finally find solace, thanks to the intervention of Mike Sonko
• Neema Jumwa succumbed to Aplastic Anaemia; however, her family struggled to raise KSh 10,000 for mortuary expenses and an additional 25,000 to repatriate her body
• The Sonko Rescue Team took care of the morgue fees, contributed towards the casket cost, and facilitated the transportation of the body to Mariakani for the funeral

Former Nairobi governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has come through for the family of a 10-year-old girl whose body had been stuck at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) morgue.

Neema Jumwa Karisa succumbed to complications at KNH while undergoing treatment for Aplastic Anaemia.

Her family was, however, unable to not just pay the accrued hospital bill of over KSh 350,000 but also raise KSh 10,000 to pay mortuary costs and 25,000 to transport her remains to Mariakani.

Area politicians joined the cause

When TUKO.co.ke shared the story, members of the public were touched by the development and joined the course in raising funds.

Philanthropist Jimia Abdul, who has been handling the case, disclosed that one of those who contributed to the cause was area MP Paul Kahindi Katana.

"His contribution of KSh 20,000.00 went towards the hospital bill, reducing it from the inital figure to KSh 331,513," she said.

Member of County Assembly for Mariakani ward Martha Kokie Musyoki also gave an additional KSh 10,000 towards the hospital bill, an another as well as another contribution for the casket.

SRT paid most bills

Notable among those who've been instrumental in helping was the former Nairobi governor who dispatched his Sonko Rescue Team to the family.

Through SRT the morgue charges was cleared, the casket was paid for, and transport from Nairobi to Mariakani was catered for.

"Through the published story we also managed to collect more than KSh 50,000 which we shall update the public on utilisation of the same," Jimia said.

With most of the bills cleared, Neema's body left KNH Funeral Home last evening on an SRT Paramedics vehicle and arrived this morning in Mariakani-Kilifi County.

As of the time of filing this story, the burial process for the youngster was ongoing.

Neema's father to clear hospital bill later

The other piece of good news is that Milicent Kagonga from the KNH social services department managed to strike a deal for the body to be release before payments were made.

The agreement stipulates that Neema's dad will clear the hospital bill for the next eight years in equal monthly instalments.

It is a deal that freed the already struggling family from having to raise KSh 3000,000 before being allowed to pick their loved one's remains.

Neema started ailing this year

Neema was born a healthy girl but started having complications early this year, forcing her to spend the better part of the year at Mariakani Sub-county Hospital.

Things took a turn for the worse when her health deteriorated and her blood counts went down around May, which is how she was referred to KNH for further diagnosis and management.

It was at KNH that she was diagnosed with Aplastic anaemia, but it emerged that nothing much could be done other than managing her as her platelets were completely down.

Despite several blood donations, the young girl succumbed on Thursday, August 10.