TRANSITION : This man Billy Ajanga

"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love." ~ Washington Irving

KAKAMEGA

Birth

Billy Bramwel Ajanga was born and raised by Dr Catherine Muhonja Aurah and the late Jacob Cosmas Aurah on March 30, 1985.

"Dad, you went too soon before we established the daughter –father bond, you were gone. Before I enjoyed your lavish expenditure on me, you were gone. I have had a chance to dress and adorn imported dresses as a little girl," Daughter Tasha

He was a second born in a family of four boys. He leaves behind three brothers, Vincent Etemesi Aurah, Jerome Opwanda Aurah and Teddy Ashinde Aurah and a daughter and Tasha Adriana Aurah.

Circumcision

The late Billy was circumcised traditionally in August 1995.

Education

Billy started his Early Childhood Education (ECDE) at Senende Nursery School at the age of three years and joined Standard One in 1991 at Bukhulunya Primary School, Shirere ward in Kakamega Central Sub County.

He transferred to Star Academy in 1993 in class three, later on moved to Lugulu Boarding Primary School in 1997, and sat for his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) the following year.

Billy would then join Friends School Kamusinga in 1999 and scored a B + (Plus) in the 2002 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).

As a brilliant boy he was, Billy secured a slot at the University of Nairobi in 2004 to pursue a Bachelor degree in (Arts and Design) and graduated in 2008.

In 2014, he enrolled for a Master’s Degree in Disaster Management and Sustainable Development at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (Mmust). He successfully completed his coursework in 2018; he however did not complete his thesis after relocating to Canada in 2019.

Employment

The Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) employed the late Billy in 2009 as a sales representative up to 2012. In 2014, he volunteered to work as a clerical officer at Fountain Enterprise Program, Kakamega Branch until 2015.

In 2016, he went into business and operated a printing press until 2018 when he got a chance to Canada in May 2019 in search of greener pastures, a dream that never came to be.

While in Toronto, Canada, the late Billy worked as a Personal Support Worker for a year and in August 2020, he was involved in a car accident that rendered him jobless for seven months. He was employed at Greenbelt as a Communication Administrative Assistant.

He worked until June this year when he was indisposed due to the severe back problem that was associated with the accident he suffered in 2008.

Sickness

Billy lived a healthy life as a child and young adult. In 2013, he suffered Intestinal Obstruction that led to admission in various hospitals, culminating in a surgery at Tenwek Mission hospital.

In August 2019, while in Canada, he was knocked by a speeding car and sustained severe injuries on the limbs, back and head concussion.

He was hospitalised for two weeks and discharged on crutches. He moved with the support of crutches until January 2021. He improved and resumed work. In May this year, he complained of severe backache and was treated after taking two MRIs (X-ray). He improved and resumed normal life.

On July 14, he was back to the hospital with severe back pain that had him immobilized. He underwent treatment and had him discharged after a week. It was discovered that he had suffered a spinal injury during the accident.

" Your actions were always kind, an active mind and a generous hand, anxious to please and loath to offend. Just the thought of you makes me cry, I never even got the chance to say goodbye, yet something tells me that you are watching over me and you are finally free from worldly cares and pains," Jerome Aurah

He was put on medication and physiotherapy schedule. Between the time of discharge from hospital and September 1, this year, Billy appeared very fine and could communicate with his family frequently and he did not indicate he was unwell.

It was on the morning of September 3, that Billy’s friend, Denzel Kwena, to break the sad news of his demise, called his brother Vinny. He was discovered dead and standing at the sink/wash basin at his bathroom, by the man, he shared an apartment with.

After an autopsy, results revealed that he died of UNEXPLAINED CAUSE as ALL ORGANS WERE REPORTED TO BE FINE. Samples were taken for further tests (TOXICOLOGY) and results will be out in 12 weeks’ time. Billy died at the age 36 years, Five months and Three days.

Tributes

Dr Catherine Aurah (Mom)

No words I write could ever say how sad and empty I feel today. The angels came for you much sooner than I planned. Most women say there is no pain greater than that to bear a child, I say there is no pain than to bury one.

Part of me goes with you today. You leave an empty space in my heart, never to be filled. You leave a sharp pain in my heart that may never diminish. Rest well my son.

 Daughter Tasha

Dad, you went too soon before we established the daughter –father bond, you were gone. Before I enjoyed your lavish expenditure on me, you were gone. I have had a chance to dress and adorn imported dresses as a little girl.

I will miss this special love. I cry your death, I mourn you. Death! Oh, Death, Why make me an orphan at age seven?

Vincent Etemesi Aurah

Today I will pause and look back at our past where we came from not with regret but gratitude for the lessons we learnt. The road was never easy but it shaped us to be better and strong. Go well brother.

Jerome Opwanda Aurah

My dear brother, now that you are gone, you are no longer here to share the bond of love and are we had together, unspoken words you have left behind, undone things we will never do, no sharing thoughts we both do not know.

Your actions were always kind, an active mind and a generous hand, anxious to please and loath to offend. Just the thought of you makes me cry, I never even got the chance to say goodbye, yet something tells me that you are watching over me and you are finally free from worldly cares and pains.

"Saying goodbye is not for us. Instead, I will say that I look forward to seeing my friend again, each time I am reminded of him through a phrase or a joke. These things will keep us close despite death. Go well my friend," Denzel Kwena

While you are up in heaven, think of how much you meant to me. Rest easy, I wish you sweet sleep my dear brother.

 Teddy Ashinde Aurah

As kids we lived together, we fought, we cried and we laughed. We did not always show the love that both had inside.

We shared our dreams, plans and some secrets too. You were my brother and I love you like no other. Within my heart, I feel you will always be by my side and it comforts me to know that one day we will meet again. I have to let you rest big brother. Go well.

Millie Annet

Thanks for standing up for me when nobody else did. I do not know who I will be talking to for hours now. I will miss you, safiri salama.

Denzel Kwena, Canada

Saying goodbye is not for us. Instead, I will say that I look forward to seeing my friend again, each time I am reminded of him through a phrase or a joke. These things will keep us close despite death. Go well my friend.

………………………………………….End………