Two children who survived accident that killed 5 family members stranded after uncle takes over home

Two weeks after the late Ronald Bundi, his wife and three children were buried in Kisii following a Christmas Day accident last year, two of the departed couple's children are stranded at the Coast General Hospital in Mombasa despite having been discharged.

According to the sisters of the late Veronicah Bundi, the two children aged 3 and 10 years are not able to access their home after the late Bundi's brother locked the house in an alleged tussle over ownership of his properties.

On January 7, 2022, the late Bundi, his wife Veronicah and their three children were laid to rest at their home in Kisii County; but to the two children who were still nursing injuries at the hospital, this marked the beginning of challenges largely triggered by a scramble for their parents’ property.

Harriet Gesare, sister to Veronicah, said: “Watoto walikuwa discharged tangu last week, lakini pahali tunaenda ndio hatujui kama mlango ulifungwa na ndugu za kina Baba…sasa kuaccess nyumba ni kazi, ata kubadilisha nguo zenye mtoto hatuwezi.”

They claim that after the burial, the late Bundi's elder brother Dennis Nyamweno took control of properties owned by the deceased, this bringing the attention of the church, neighbours and friends of the late Bundi who are demanding for justice.

Giggs Mudemba, a neighbor, said: “Hajapokea simu…hapokei simu, ni kama wanajua ni nani anawapigia simu, wanachagua wale wanaeza ongea nao.”

Dennis Monare, the late Bundi’s friend, stated: “Vile tunaona, ni kama hawa familia wanazozana. Sisi kama marafiki na majirani wa Bundi hatuegemei upande wowote, ile kitu tunataka ni maslahi ya hao watoto iangaliwe.”

In a phone conversation with Dennis Nyambweno, he agreed that indeed he has the keys to the house and that together with two of his siblings, they have occupied the late Bundi's house.

He however denied neglecting the two children.

“Sasa nashangaa wanasema tunafunga mlango na mimi nafungua kila siku hata kuna watu wanalala hapo…hata kuna jirani alinipigia eti nimefunga mlango na watoto wanafaa kurudi,” said Dennis.

“Mimi naweza kosa kujua watoto wanafaa kurudi alafu jirani ajue ndio aanze kuniuliza? Mimi ndio baba ya watoto kwa sasa, niko na funguo na kuna mabrother zangu wawili wanalala hapo.”