It was a somber morning at Eldoret Airport as the mortal remains of Orville Kimutai, a 23-year-old Kenyan scholar, arrived for his final resting place.
Friends and family members gathered at the airport, united in their grief as they awaited the return of their loved one.
Orville, from Elgeiyo Marakwet, was a promising young athlete who had travelled to Perth in March to further his education.
On September 9, his life was cut short when he drowned at Stockton Lake in the West Australian town of Collie. His body was found the next day.
“The male required assistance in the water and was unable to be helped by members of the public on shore. Police attended the scene and commenced a search,” read a report by the Western Australia Police Force.
On September 13, the family launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to fly their son back to his home in Kapteren, Keiyo north in Elgeyo Marakwet County for burial.
A memorial service is set to take place on October 6 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Eldoret.
The final rites will be observed on Saturday, the 7th, as he is laid to rest at the family residence in Elgeiyo Marakwet.
