Family of Kenyan woman shot dead in US appeals for Sh5m to bring body home

By , K24 Digital
On Thu, 2 Jan, 2020 11:10 | 3 mins read
Janet Oyuga
Janet Oyuga, the 37-year-old woman who was shot dead at her US home by a woman she hosted. PHOTO | COURTESY
Janet Oyuga, the 37-year-old woman who was shot dead at her US home by a woman she hosted. PHOTO | COURTESY

By Viola Kosome

When Janet Oyuga left the country to pursue her studies abroad, her parents and siblings had expected her to complete her education and help support the family financially.  

Little did they know that her journey to the Unites States of America (US) would be the beginning of their painful quest for justice.

Tears trickled down her elder sister’s face as she remembers her last moments with Janet who was shot dead in the US.

Sophie says she last communicated with Janet a month ago before her death. Their mother talked to Janet a week ago while their last born was in constant communication with Janet and spoke with her hours before she was brutally shot.

https://twitter.com/RanjiKIRO7/status/1207675034996740096

"When she called me, she told me she was in good health, doing well and had plans of either coming home soon and/or inviting our last born to further her studies in the US," Sophie says.

Janet’s mother, Mrs Oyuga, who requested for the media to respect their privacy to mourn in peace, had earlier said she did not know that their last communication would be their last.

Janet left for US nearly 10 years ago.  

"I wish the 85-year-old could have at least maimed her and left her crippled so we could carry her back to Kenya instead of killing her. My heart is heavy and hurting, "she says.

Janet, 37, was shot by Beverly Jenne — a roommate — on December 19 in Seattle, Washington State.

According to Sophie, the family received the sad news through a friend who lives in the US. 

"It was about 10pm a few minutes after we had taken dinner and we were almost going to sleep. At first I felt like I was dreaming when the reality hit me," she remembers. 

The granny is alleged to have ambushed Janet as she returned home and then waited for her elder sister, Angela Oyuga, and shot her multiple times on the chest which left her with broken ribs and punctured lungs. 

She says Janet succumbed to the gunshot wounds on the spot. 

"Angela was admitted in ICU in a critical condition but responded well to treatment and has since been discharged but says she is still writhing in pain," Sophie says. 

Sophie says reports from the detectives revealed that her two sisters had bought the house in which Beverly had stayed in for about 40 years but lost it through auctioneers.

The granny left a suicidal note in her car explaining why she shot the sister.

The letter read: "I was sent by people to kill Janet because she was not a good person, she was going to evict me."

The 85-year-old has been charged with first-degree murder and assault for double shooting the sisters who were former students of Kisumu Girls High School.

Beverly was booked into jail on $1million bail after being released on Christmas Eve from a Tacoma hospital following a failed suicide attempt.

Janet’s family is demanding justice as there have been no efforts from the Kenyan Embassy and US government.

They are appealing to friends and families to help them raise Sh5 million to bring back their kin’s body for burial. 

"We are hoping that justice would be served to us since now we're in double tragedy. The house which my sisters bought in November burnt into ashes on New Year's eve with the course of fire not known,” says Sophie. 

https://twitter.com/DeedeeKIRO7/status/1211696727809331202

According to Sophie, burial plans are ongoing and they hope that by January 11, 2019, her sister’s body will be laid to rest.

The family is looking to raise the Sh5 million to transport the body to Gem Ogero village in Siaya. "Families and friends in USA are in the process of mobilising for funds to help bring my jovial sister back home, " she says.