The global community came together to support the family of the late Kenyan nurse, June Onkundi, who was killed while working as a nurse in Durham City in North Carolina, United States.
In a Go Fund Me fundraiser launched after her death on Tuesday, October 18, wellwishers raised over Ksh1.7 million for the family. The target is currently set at Ksh11.9 million (100,000 US dollars).
Reports indicated that Onkundi was attacked by a knife-wielding patient who she was taking care of, killing her on the spot. The patient is characterised as a deranged person who had a criminal past.
The suspect was apprehended after police responded to a distress call.
According to the GoFundMe page, Onkundi was described as a mentor, wife, and mother who was dedicated to her craft. She also had a Master’s degree in Psychiatric Nursing and was set to commence her PhD program at Duke University.
"June would make any gloomy day to be a brighter one. Her voice and presence were magical to both staff and patients. The community has lost a great nurse."
Andrew Nyabwari, a brother-in-law to the deceased, noted his dismay over Onkundi's demise as she was a pillar of hope in the family.
“For us as family members, it is very painful we are saddened that the same very population she had the passion and desire to help is the one that finally took her away from us and left us now grieving with four children and a husband,” he stated.
He posed a query as to the effectiveness of safety conditions enforced in a working environment.
“I am confused because a place of work is supposed to provide safety mechanisms for the staff members to be safe just to make sure another family member does not go through the pain that we are going through today," he noted.
Following Onkundi's death, a statement was released by North Carolina Nurses Association president Meka Douthit, who called for urgent interventions to curb violence in the workplace.
" It is my desperate hope that June Onkundi's death serves as a turning point and that those of us in healthcare can truly begin to address this problem," read part of the statement.
