The identity of a 66-year-old Kenyan man who died of coronavirus on Thursday, March 26th, has been revealed.
The man, who passed away while receiving treatment at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, has been identified as Maurice Barasa Namiinda from Kimalewa Village in Kabuchai Constituency, Bungoma County.
Barasa, an engineer by profession, became the first Covid-19 patient to die in Kenya. He tested positive for the virus after jetting back into the country from South Africa via Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) on March 13th and was suffering from diabetes.
Speaking to K24 Digital, Barasa’s brother Paul Wanjala said the family learned of their kin’s death through social media.
“We knew about Maurice’s death on social media,” he said.
David Khisa, Barasa’s other sibling said the family is still waiting for communication from the government on how his body will be disposed of. It is unclear whether Barasa’s remains will be buried or cremated like other countries including China and Italy are doing to those who die of the virus.
“We are waiting for communication from the government,” said Khisa.
Barasa worked with GIBB Africa Limited, an engineering company that has been involved in development projects in East and Central Africa for many decades. The company’s headquarters are in Nairobi and have offices in Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and South Sudan.
Barasa lived in Nairobi’s Buruburu Phase 5 estate and leaves seven children.
