Kenyan footballer Ezekiel Otuoma will be laid to rest on Saturday, 11th January 2025.The burial will take place at their home in Gem Ramula, Siaya County.Ezekiel passed away on 20th December 2024 after a 4-year battle with Motor Neuron Disease.
His death was confirmed by his wife Rachel Otuoma.
“To my Husband, You left a hole in my heart that no one else can fill💔the emptiness in my arms reminds me of the love we shared. Your love was a gift and I’ll cherish it always.
“However, it was so soon that broke my heart. You left on my birthday, and it will never be the same again💔you never said you were leaving or even showed a sign, you never said goodbye😭in life I loved you dearly in death I love you still in my heart you hold a place that only you can fill. It broke my heart to lose you but you didn’t go alone a part of me went with you😭. TILL ME WE MEET AGAIN.”
Below are events that will be held before the burial.
There will be a Mini Harambee on Saturday 4th January 2025 at their home in Mbotela Estate off Jogoo Road from 2 pm.
5th January 2025, there will be a Wadau Football Fundraising Tournament at the Absa Sport’s Club Ruaraka Grounds along Thika Road from 8 am.
Wadau Football fraternity are encouraged to wear local football jerseys for Teams Rooney played for in his Football career for the event.
There will be a Jersey signing and auctioning on the same day at Absa Sport Club to also assist in funeral expenses.
On 7th January 2025, the Mbotea Estate community and all well-wishers will be having a Harambee at Duol Kombok Place from 2 pm.
Main Harambee which will involve a candle lighting ceremony will be held on Wednesday 8th January 2025 at Mbotela Social Hall from 5 pm.
Burial is set for Saturday 11th January 2025 at Gem Ramula in Siaya County.
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Ezekiel was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease in 2020.
Racheal explained that the disease started as a joke
“Otuoma started getting sick like the flu. We gave him homemade concoctions. His voice kept going away, his speech became slurred. A team player suggested we go and have tests carried out. We looked for a neurologist.
The tests were carried out and he was diagnosed with Motor neuron disease.”
In an interview with Lynn Ngugi, Rachel shared
“We met during a friend’s birthday party. He tried shooting his shot that day but I did not give in. He never gave up so later I finally gave in. He was ready to settle down and I was also looking forward to getting married.
He introduced me to his mum. At the time he was playing for Muhoroni Youth. He proposed in front of my colleagues at work. We wed in May 2015.’
Racheal says marriage was not a bed of roses.
” He went to Ulinzi Stars then to Western Stima. At the time we were not living together as the teams he was working for were not around. I was in Nairobi myself. At some point, he was moved to AFC Leopards and that is when we got a chance to live together.”
by PENINAH NJOKI