Spring Break
Student murdered in Kenya
Brutally killed just before his planned return to school
Sam Adamopoulos
Issue date: 3/24/08 Section: Inside WCC
Just 15 days before former WCC student Francis Wanjala Wekesa planned to return to the U.S., an unidentified murderer took the lives of both him and his wife, Norah Namuki Wekesa.
On March 10, in the middle of the night, Wanjala and his wife were brutally hacked to death in their village of Namawanga. Wanjala went back to Kenya in December to reunite with his wife and their six children.
After working as a banker in Kenya's Western Province, Wanjala decided to come to the U.S. in
2002 to major in a Pharmaceutical-related field to provide better for his family, whom he left behind. His tenure at WCC began in the winter semester of 2003, and a number of students and staff underwent complete shock at the announcement of his murder.
"When I found out about Francis, I didn't sleep that night," said computer commons assistant Sabir Khogali, forcing back tears. "Everyone knew him here in the lab. I miss him very much."
WCC student Elizabeth Muganzi, who also hails from Kenya, remembers Wanjala as a friend who stood by her in a time of dire need.
"Francis believed in unity, and was able to counsel me at a time [when] I had a personal issue," she said. "He made me stand strong against the forces of failure."
Behavioral Science professor Harriete Jemison, who had Wanjala in her psychology class last semester, recalls life anecdotes the late student would tell her.
"He was just an intelligent person and I loved his energy," she said. "It was fascinating to hear about his stories and experiences in England and other places he lived and visited."
Wanjala originally planned to return to Michigan in January and begin attending classes at Eastern Michigan University during the winter semester. According to his cousin, WCC student Peter Kisuya, dissent in Kenya prevented Wanjala from doing so. Kisuya explained that it would have been impossible to leave the country at the time because of protesters from two political parties swarming the streets, making it dangerous to walk outside. The majority of Kenya's international airports were shut down during this time.
"When there are major problems in Kenya, the law is not very strict," said Kisuya. "People take advantage of this and do horrible things."
During this period of chaos, one political party blamed the incumbent president of stealing elections. The claims escalated to riots and fights that made even simple tasks, like going to the store, perilous. Although tensions had calmed around the time of Wanjala's murder, these circumstances may have played a role in it.
Wanjala's oldest daughter, Beverly, is left to take care of her younger siblings. In addition to pursuing an education in Kenya, she must also find a way to support her family.
"She feels like she has the responsibility to take care of her brothers and sisters," said Kisuya. "That is a burden a young girl like her cannot handle."
"He's my friend," said Khogali. "He was a very good man."
Those interested in helping Wanjala's orphaned children may contact Peter Kisuya at (734) 883 - 8536.
On March 10, in the middle of the night, Wanjala and his wife were brutally hacked to death in their village of Namawanga. Wanjala went back to Kenya in December to reunite with his wife and their six children.
After working as a banker in Kenya's Western Province, Wanjala decided to come to the U.S. in
2002 to major in a Pharmaceutical-related field to provide better for his family, whom he left behind. His tenure at WCC began in the winter semester of 2003, and a number of students and staff underwent complete shock at the announcement of his murder.
"When I found out about Francis, I didn't sleep that night," said computer commons assistant Sabir Khogali, forcing back tears. "Everyone knew him here in the lab. I miss him very much."
WCC student Elizabeth Muganzi, who also hails from Kenya, remembers Wanjala as a friend who stood by her in a time of dire need.
"Francis believed in unity, and was able to counsel me at a time [when] I had a personal issue," she said. "He made me stand strong against the forces of failure."
Behavioral Science professor Harriete Jemison, who had Wanjala in her psychology class last semester, recalls life anecdotes the late student would tell her.
"He was just an intelligent person and I loved his energy," she said. "It was fascinating to hear about his stories and experiences in England and other places he lived and visited."
Wanjala originally planned to return to Michigan in January and begin attending classes at Eastern Michigan University during the winter semester. According to his cousin, WCC student Peter Kisuya, dissent in Kenya prevented Wanjala from doing so. Kisuya explained that it would have been impossible to leave the country at the time because of protesters from two political parties swarming the streets, making it dangerous to walk outside. The majority of Kenya's international airports were shut down during this time.
"When there are major problems in Kenya, the law is not very strict," said Kisuya. "People take advantage of this and do horrible things."
During this period of chaos, one political party blamed the incumbent president of stealing elections. The claims escalated to riots and fights that made even simple tasks, like going to the store, perilous. Although tensions had calmed around the time of Wanjala's murder, these circumstances may have played a role in it.
Wanjala's oldest daughter, Beverly, is left to take care of her younger siblings. In addition to pursuing an education in Kenya, she must also find a way to support her family.
"She feels like she has the responsibility to take care of her brothers and sisters," said Kisuya. "That is a burden a young girl like her cannot handle."
"He's my friend," said Khogali. "He was a very good man."
Those interested in helping Wanjala's orphaned children may contact Peter Kisuya at (734) 883 - 8536.
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