Photo: Courtesy
Francis Thiong’o, the husband of gospel singer Jemimah Thiong’o, passed away on the morning of Sunday, July 21, 2024. According to sources, he succumbed to cardiac arrest.
The family is now seeking assistance to settle the hospital bills and make arrangements for the funeral.
The tragic circumstances surrounding Francis Thiong’o’s passing have deeply impacted his family and the community around them. Francis, husband to renowned gospel singer Jemimah Thiong’o, unexpectedly passed away on a Sunday morning, July 21, 2024, due to complications arising from cardiac arrest. His journey to this point began innocuously enough, with a routine hospital visit for a minor procedure. Unfortunately, unforeseen complications arose, leading to a prolonged stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) for nearly three months.
Throughout Francis’s hospitalization, the financial strain on the Thiong’o family steadily increased as medical bills mounted. The estimated cost of his care and treatment approached Ksh 5 million. Facing this daunting burden, the family mobilized support through two fundraisers, which garnered contributions from both family members and friends, totaling Ksh 2.7 million. Despite these efforts, there remained a substantial deficit of Ksh 3 million.
In response to their urgent financial need, plans were underway for a fundraising concert dubbed the “Love Concert,” scheduled to take place in August. The primary aim of this event was to generate additional funds to help alleviate the outstanding hospital expenses. The concert was not only a means to raise funds but also a testament to the outpouring of love and support from the community for the Thiong’o family during this difficult period.
Jemimah Thiong’o, in sharing the family’s ordeal, expressed the initial hopefulness and subsequent challenges they faced. She recounted how Francis’s hospitalization, which began with what seemed like a routine procedure, quickly escalated into a critical health situation. This unforeseen turn of events not only placed emotional strain on the family but also exacerbated their financial predicament.
“We’ve had two fundraisers from family and friends which amounted to Ksh 2.7 Million,” Jemimah disclosed. “However, we are still facing a deficit of Ksh 3 million. We are appealing to you to help clear the hospital bill.”
The support from the community, evident through the fundraisers and planned events like the Love Concert, highlighted the solidarity and compassion shown towards the Thiong’o family during their time of grief and financial hardship. Contributions from well-wishers, whether financial or moral, played a crucial role in easing the burden on the family as they navigated through the challenges brought about by Francis’s prolonged hospitalization and eventual passing.
As the Thiong’o family continues to mourn the loss of Francis, their plea for assistance in settling the hospital bills underscores the ongoing need for communal support and generosity. The Love Concert, originally intended to be a celebration of love and solidarity, now takes on added significance as a beacon of hope and a means to honor Francis’s memory while helping his family move forward during this trying period.
