Well-wishers raise Sh350k in hours for Kenyan nurse found dead in US
A GoFundMe organised in the honour of John N. Mugo, a dedicated travel nurse based in Atlanta, Georgia, who had been reported missing on Christmas Eve, has so far raised $2,195 (Sh348,000) from 37 donations just hours after it went up.
The fundraiser has been organised to raise $30,000 (Sh4.5 million) for Mugo’s family.
John Mugo passed away peacefully in his sleep in Queens, New York, on December 25, 2023.
According to family members, Mugo had started work at a hospital in New York. However, they did not know any further details about the job.
Also read: Retired senior AP officer, son, detained after killing casual worker
His disappearance caused great distress to the family, who made several appeals on social media for help in finding him.
Friends, family, and colleagues described him as a person who had a cheerful demeanour and unwavering dedication to his profession. Mugo’s sudden death has left them shocked.
“John Mugo was a cheerful, loving, hardworking and gentle soul. John’s unwavering love and deep commitment to his family, friends and colleagues was unmatched,” a post on the GoFundMe reads in part.
“Always the life of the party, he lit up a room whenever he walked in and made everyone feel special. John had an uncanny ability to connect people and make friends wherever he went.”
The family is now seeking assistance to bring Mugo’s body back to his final resting place in Nyahururu, Kenya.
Also read: Kenyan travel nurse, John Mugo, found dead in New York on Chrismas day
It says their estimated budget to cover the Memorial service in Atlanta (tentatively on the 20th of January, 2024), to send John’s body to Kenya, and for the funeral expenses is $30,000 (Sh4,695,000).
“We are appealing to your kindness and generosity to raise this amount,” it adds.
Family and friends had expressed deep concern over his sudden disappearance, launching an urgent appeal on social media to gather information and assistance in locating him.
“Please help us find our brother and best friend, John Mugo, RN. John Mugo is a Travel RN. He had just started an assignment in a New York hospital. Unfortunately, we don’t know what travel agency he was with or the hospital he was posted in. John Mugo was flying home to Atlanta on the evening of Christmas Eve. He never got home. We’re very worried and concerned. His phone has been going to VM.”