Why, Jameni, Why ??
April 17, 2008
Written by kenyanobserver, in AROUND THE US
It is not fun posting and blogging these stories, especially when toddlers and young kids are involved, but for some reason, I feel that we, Kenyans living in the US, need some sense of where we are going as a society.
As a parent, every time I come across a story such as this one, I feel my chest literally tightening with pain and it takes a few days to take it off my mind. Why does a parent do this to a child? Where was the rest of the kenyan community? Could someone not say or do something?
There was a history of trouble between the couple. I know that the rest of the story will come out and I know that there are definitely people involved who may have tried to help and that this is just one of those situations that no one could have done anything to prevent, so perhaps this is just my way of weeping and grieving for this poor child.
Gideon Walter Omondi (pictured above), 35, of Orange County, California, who worked as a security guard as he worked toward his mechanical engineering degree, drowned his 4-year old son, Richard Omondi, in the family’s bathtub and turned himself in to authorities.
He was locked in a bitter custody battle with his wife. His first arraignment was on Tuesday on charges of capital murder.
Here are detailed accounts from the local newspapers in Orange County;
I am from Orange County and just saw this in a news release. I am saddened by this terrible news. How could anyone do this to their own flesh and blood?
Cannot believe this.
To start with Omondi was one of my best friends before he left for the USA. Am the one who actualy took him to the airport as he left.
We used to work with him at BIDCO oil refineries ( was his super visor). was there when he met hellen for the first time. Am the one he told first that he was going to marry her.When the son was born Omondi became too attached to the boy that he actually pinned a notice in the house that the kid was the head of the house and the rest his slaves. He loved the kid so much that he started going to the bars with the kid when he was barely 1 yr old. many a times my wife (then girlfriend) used to be left with the kid as we bar hopped.
He used to call me every week when he went to the US and used to solve their differences over the phone(seems like there were no people to talk to out there). he informed me when they parted and the custody arrangement for the kid. He sent me the photos BATHING THE KID BEFORE HE KILLED HIM.
Wish i could have done something about it. KWANI THRE NO GUYS TO TALK TO IN AMERICA?
AGIDO MY FRIEND OF MOMBASA POLY ,MY ROOM MATE WHAT REALLY WENT WRONG I THOUGHT YOU LEFT FOR THE STATES FOR A BETTER LIVING .I HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN YOU AS A STRONG MAN REMEMBER WHEN OUR FRIEND OTIENO FROM KISUMU WAS CRYING THAT I TOOK HER GIRLFRIEND AWAY AND THE COMMENTS YOU GAVE.I CANT BELIEVE WHAT I HAVE JUST READ YOU SHOULD NEVER HAVE DONE THIS WHATSOEVER