28/12/2025
On an evening phone call checking in with my dearest mom the other day, she shared the most shocking news:
the passing of my childhood friend and neighbor, Evans Komen or as we fondly called them, Kongasis
For a little over ten minutes, I couldn’t say anything
except No. Just no.
Growing up in Kapsowar, Marakwet, the Kongasis family was a pivot in our community.
The first supermarket -Kongasis.
The first petrol station - Kongasis.
Even when we were building the Kapsowar SDA Church, they were our partners in transporting materials to the site
largely thanks to the now late Mzee Kongasis and Evans.
But our connection went far beyond community landmarks.
Between the Kongasis home and the KapKore home stood a wooden fence.
I assure you - it never separated us. 🤣
We climbed over it freely, straight into the pile of sand in their compound,
against our better judgment
because Mama Albina had whooped us several times for it! 🤣🤣
Evans, the eldest boy, took his role as protector very seriously.
You wouldn’t wrong his sisters
I tell you, you would not dare with him around.
As their neighbor, I benefited from that protection more than once, especially in school.
But beneath that tough exterior was a soft-hearted, kind gentleman.
Even into adulthood, Evans would never pass without stopping to say hello, without checking in.
His business mind, clearly inherited from his father, was brilliant.
While the rest of us were studying math in school, calculating big numbers in hypotheticals,
Evans and his sister Vivianne were running their parents’ business - and running it well.
They learned responsibility so young, and it was inspiring to witness.
When my family later moved, coincidentally, we became neighbors again.
And as my mom said to me on that phone call:
“We pray to be neighbors again in Heaven - In shaa Allah. Clearly, it’s meant to be.”
To that, I say Amin.
This is a goodbye to a brother, a friend, a neighbor in this world
and what a painful goodbye it is.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon.
Mutyo Mising Kap Kongasis,
Mutyo Albina,
Mutyo Vivianne and all the sisters,
Mutyo Jonah and all the brothers
May God strengthen your hearts in this painful time,
and fill you with a hope that will see you reunited with Evans and Mzee on that beautiful morning.
In shaa Allah.
Tunawapenda.
Tunawaombea.
Tuko pamoja.
Rest, Evans.
Rest.