Kenyans rally for killed girl

Esther Wanjiru Mwikamba's body will not be repatriated until her mother is well enough to travel to Kenya.

DUBAI //The body of a Kenyan woman who died on Tuesday after being brutally beaten in a hotel car park will not be repatriated until her mother is well enough to travel.

Esther Wanjiru Mwikamba, 26, died in Rashid Hospital after being in a coma for 31 days. She was trying to protect a friend when she was attacked.

"Esther's mum is still suffering with high blood pressure and is in a state of shock," said Penninah Nyokabi Kirku, a friend of Esther's. "She is thinking about her daughter all the time."

Esther's sister, Lucy, said the whole family had now been informed of the death and they were struggling to overcome the tragedy.

"She was the best person in the world. I miss her a lot," she said.

Members of the Kenya Welfare Association were planning to meet at the country's consulate today to discuss repatriating the body and supporting the family financially.

"We are trying our best to support the family in this difficult situation," said Mike Ogolla, the secretary of Kenya Welfare Association.

He added that a lot of people had been visiting the hospital to offer sympathy. There are plans to start a condolence book in the consulate.

An Emirati man is being held in connection with the crime.