A family in Homa Bay is mourning the death of Noureen Nalwanga, a mother of four who was killed during the chaos that followed a Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay on Sunday.
Nalwanga, popularly known as Nya Uganda, was hit by a speeding vehicle and later died while receiving treatment.
She was among two people who lost their lives during the violence, while several others were injured.
At her home in Shauri Yako Estate, Homa Bay Town, relatives and friends gathered to mourn the woman who was the sole breadwinner for her four children.
According to her family, Nalwanga had spent much of Sunday indoors watching events in Homa Bay unfold on television.
She later left home after hearing reports of looting in town. Her family said she wanted to check on the property she relied on for her livelihood.
Her son, Sly Steward, said he was later informed that his mother had been hit by a vehicle.
“Mama aliskia kuna looting inafanyika tao, so alienda ku-confirm vitu zake. So dakika kidogo nikaambiwa ati aligongwa na gari,” he said.
Nalwanga’s friend Jackeline Adhiambo said she had spoken to her earlier that evening and had advised her to stay away from the town because of the situation.
“Alinipigia simu kitu saa kumi na mbili na nusu, akaniambia ati town ni kubaya, nikae kwa nyumba. Kufika kitu saa mbili, simu ikakuja tena ati amekufa. Nilishangaa sana,” Adhiambo said.
Nalwanga was a widow and had been raising her four children on her own.
Her death has left the children without their mother and the family now faces uncertainty over her burial arrangements.
Relatives said Nalwanga’s late husband’s family had distanced itself from the burial arrangements, raising the possibility that her body could be taken to Uganda, where she was born.
Her uncle, Kigwana Nicholus, said the family had been informed of difficulties on the side of her late husband’s family.
“The guy who came said that in their family they have problems, so for us we have to take the body back to Uganda. We said it is okay, we do not have any problem, but we need help,” he said.
Dennis Otieno, a friend of Nalwanga, said the family had initially travelled to Homa Bay to attend a burial but later had to make arrangements to take her body back to Uganda.
“Walikuwa wamekuja kuhudhuria mazishi, lakini wamekuatana na ile yenye imewakuta, and now they have to carry the body back to Uganda, where the lady was born,” Otieno said.
As the situation in Homa Bay returns to normal, Nalwanga’s family is left to deal with the loss of a mother who was supporting four children.
Her death has added a personal tragedy to the political violence that disrupted the rally, leaving families to deal with deaths and injuries even as political leaders trade blame over the events.
