Community mourns promising footballer who suffered cardiac arrest

The family of a footballer who died in Meru is appealing for help to pay a Sh2.5 million hospital bill to enable the hospital to release his body for burial.

Dominic Maingi, 24, who died on October 12 at St Theresa's Mission Hospital, was the first choice goalkeeper for Ngiine FC, a club that plays in the Meru league sanctioned by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF). 

He was one of the most popular players in the local league, which is a few tiers below the Premier League.

His athleticism and good nature won him many fans and supporters for his team.

Maingi had a nagging shoulder injury that had troubled him since last year and his club was keen to have him undergo surgery for him to be free of the pain.

Hillary Kiogora, a teammate, said Maingi always was reliable between the posts.

"He had a shoulder injury and had nagging pain but he played with it and always helped the team win matches. We had not lost any match this year when he was in the team," said Kiogora.

• .

  Keep Reading

• 
  Mohamed Salah: Liverpool's Egyptian King
• 
  Ruto's name dragged into bloody Ang'ata land row
• 
  How Obingo changed Kenyan football
• 
  Why Shabana could rattle title hopefuls Police, Tusker and Gor

In August the club management decided he should have the injury checked at one of the major hospitals in Meru town, to free him from the pain and for him to perform his other activities in comfort.

Maingi was hospitalised at St Theresa's Mission Hospital Kiirua where he stayed in its Intensive Care Unit for 10 weeks, but succumbed on October 12.

Mathew Ikunyua, a community leader, said the hospital is asking at least the family to pay Sh2.5m for them to release the body.

"The family and neighbors have been meeting to raise something but even if we do it for a whole year they can't raise that amount. We are pleading with well-wishers to come to the aid of the family," he said.

Reached by The Standard, St Theresa's Mission Hospital Kiirua CEO Sister Agnes Nkatha said while the institution cannot forego due to services offered, they always assist where possible.

Sr Nkatha said if they waivered such bills the facility would be closed down because they encounter several cases where families cannot settle the bills.

"Since we all belong to one human family, the best would be to see how all members of this family come in big or small ways to assist one of us. That way, these services will be there tomorrow for someone else," she said.