Questions as family of dusitD2 slain officer seeks to raise money for funeral : The Standard

The family of a General Service Unit officer who was killed in the 14 Riverside attack says they will be holding a fundraiser for his funeral on Wednesday. It is not clear why the Government is not taking care of the funeral bills given the officer was regarded as a hero who died while saving lives at the complex. An official at the Interior Ministry “promised action” once the concerned parties are alerted on the developments. The family of the late Japheth Ndunguja Nuru said funeral arrangements are underway and an MPesa Paybill number has been set up under the account name “Japhet Funeral Fund”.

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“Meetings for funeral arrangements will take place today 22/1/2019 at Kindergarten hall and Wednesday 23/1/2019 at A.C.K hall, All Saints Cathedral starting from 5pm,” an obituary read. The 28-year-old, who was attached to the presidential guard was shot and killed by one of the four militants who had raided the dustiD2 complex. All the four attackers were later killed by Special Forces who responded there. Another attacker blew himself up earlier on at the start of the attack triggering the incident. More than 700 people were rescued as the gunmen continued to lay siege at the complex before they were felled by police bullets. Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and top ministry officials together with Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet met with the officer’s family last Friday at the GSU headquarters.

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He also met with other officers based in Ruaraka to thank them for their service during the Riverside attack. The National Police Service will cater for all funeral expenses as per their Service standing orders. “I've given orders that the body be taken home by helicopter on Friday and I've planned to personally attend the funeral on Saturday,” Police IG Boinnet said. Interior CS Matiang’i is also planning to attend. “We've even gone beyond usual policy and at the moment. A house is being built at the officer's home in his honour, courtesy of inter-agency cooperation.”

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The family is however free to fundraise for other purposes that local customs or traditions may require that we may not be aware.

The house is being built by masons from local prison facility. Usually government caters for all funeral expenses of officials killed in such incidents. The move by the family elicited uproar on social media with many asking why the government is not catering for the expenses. Families are burying those who died in the siege.

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Related Topics

General Service Unit14 RiversideTerror Attack