Grief has gripped a family in Riosugo village, Bobasi constituency, Kisii County, following the mysterious death of their 24-year-old daughter, Emily Nyamoita Nyabuto, in Lebanon.
A month after receiving an official notification from Beirut immigration authorities, the family is still waiting to see her body—and is now appealing for government intervention to bring her remains home.
Emily left Kenya in 2023 with the hope of lifting her family out of poverty. She had reportedly secured domestic work through an agent and had promised to return this year. Her mother, Janes Mokeira, says she last spoke to Emily on June 14.
Days later, a friend called with shocking news—Emily had died, and her sister, who was also in Lebanon, had been hospitalised.
“Huyu msichana alipanga kurudi. Niliongea naye tarehe kumi na nne, na marafiki wakatupigia kusema ameaga dunia,” Mokeira said.
The only official confirmation of Emily’s death is a letter from Lebanon’s immigration department. The family has not seen her body, which remains in a Beirut mortuary.
“Mimi nataka kuona mwili wa mtoto wangu ili nithibitike. Naumia sana kwa sababu niko mbali na sina uwezo,” her mother added tearfully.
Emily’s aunt, Catherine Kerubo, described her as the family’s main hope: “Alikuwa tegemeo letu. Kifo chake kimetuvunja kabisa.”
The family says the cost of repatriating her remains is well beyond their reach.
“Even raising the mortuary fee alone is hard. Even with multiple harambees, we can’t manage,” said her uncle, Paul Ogise.
They are now calling on the Kenyan government and Kisii leaders to help bring Emily’s body home, so she can be laid to rest in line with Abagusii customs.
