NAIROBI, Kenya, May 8 – A Kenyan who died in the xenophobic attacks in South Africa was buried in Msambweni, Kwale County on Friday.
Family members said Hassan Stima, 33, was stabbed in Johannesburg by unknown people and succumbed to head injuries at Malaguana Hospital in South Africa on April 17.
His body was flown from South Africa and arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Thursday before it was transferred to his home in Kwale for burial.
Speaking to the media, the family said that they were informed about the tragedy by a relative living in South Africa.
Juma Mohammed, father of the deceased said Stima suffered deep head injuries and died while undergoing treatment at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
He said the death is blow to the family that solely depended on him and demanded compensation from the State.
“He was hit with a sharp object in the head several times and died a painful death while undergoing treatment .The government must intervene and ensure we get justice and those involved be arrested,” Mohammed said.
According to him the South African government conducted post-mortem before releasing the body to the family.
The deceased went to South Africa in 2006, where he worked as a casual labourer until he met his death in the xenophobic attacks witnessed about two weeks ago.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has however denied claims of Kenyan casualties in the xenophobic attacks that attracted worldwide outcry and condemnation over the past weeks.
In an interview with a radio station Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed said there were no Kenyan casualties and announced that there was an evacuation plan to assist Kenyans in South Africa.
READ: Kenya to evacuate nationals from South Africa
Mwatuma Juma, sister of the deceased said they were assisted by well-wishers including the Sonko Rescue Team to transfer the body for burial from South Africa.
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