Death of Achieng' Abura exposes our hypocrisy

Achieng Abura said this. “I can't agree more. I have called for a fundraiser like twice, and it is my closest friends, usually broke who showed up, and overwhelmed me. People always go for waheshimwas, but they are always disappointed...

"Then we did a show with Suzanne, Makadem... a big line-up. Still, we didn’t get the numbers. I’ve raised money for so many things and I was hoping that somebody in turn says, “Okay, let’s support her.” I have learnt one thing from this experience; the people who don’t have that much are the ones who donate to help. But the people who you are certain have, they don’t give.”

Today, Achieng' Abura left us. In her death, do we see the hypocrisy of Kenyans? Suddenly, everyone on social media is claiming they were friends with her.

Yet in her interview she told Jackson Biko (Bikozulu) that she had been struggling for over five years in vain to raise money to take her son to England for treatment of his sickle cell anemia. That in one "successful" fund raiser, less than ten people turned up.

Like we always do, she will now be praised by all, and thousands will turn up in a requiem mass and then the funeral. The body may even be moved from KNH where she has died to Lee Funeral Home. In death, her body will receive more money and friends than she received when alive.

Why do Kenyans turn up in multitude calling themselves friends of one who is dead, when they were not there when they were alive?

My true friends know me: I stand by my friends when alive. I will never claim to be a friend of someone when dead when I wasn't there for them when they were alive and suffering.

Hypocrisy of Kenyans ought to end, and must end. If you didn't support someone when alive, don't claim them when dead.

RIP Achieng' Abura. I am sorry, I never knew you when alive. Our paths never crossed. But will extend support to your son to raise the medical bill for his treatment.