Compiled and written by David R. Schleper
Patrick Biyogon Ayienda was born February 2, 1962, in Magena, Kissi, Kenya. His parents were Samson Ayienda Ogetakara and Penning Nyangweso Ayieda.
Patrick graduated from the Nyamache Boys High School in 1982. Nyamache Boys High School is a public, extra county level, boys boarding secondary school located in Nyamache town. The school has 29 teachers and about 2400 students.
Kisii (also known as Getembe or Bosongo) is a municipality and urban center in southwestern Kenya and the capital of the Kisii County. The town is a driving distance of 192 miles from the capital city of Nairobi, according to Wikipedia.
Kisii town also serves as major urban and commercial center in the Gusii Highlands – Kisii and Nyamira counties – and the South Nyanza region and the second largest town in formerly greater Nyanza after Kisumu City. Kisii municipality sits right at the center of the western Kenya tourist circuit that includes the Tabaka Soapstone Carvings, Maasai Mara, Ruma National Park and part of the Lake Victoria Basin.
Kisii town was originally known by the Gusii people as Getembe. It was later named Bosongo. It originated from “Abasongo” (to refer to the British or Whites) who lived in the town during the colonial times. The town was originally established by British soldiers who were being forced to retreat from Lake Victoria by heavy gunfire from German soldiers’ gunboats during the Great War in the early 20th century.
The town is predominantly inhabited by the Gusii community, called Abagusii (also known as Kisii in Swahili, or Gusii in Ekegusii). The Nubians, Arabs, Luo, Luhya, Kuria, Kikuyu, Kamba, Somali, Asian and Kalenjin make up a minority of residents.
When Patrick was 22 years old, he joined the Kenyan Air Force. The Kenyan Air Force (KAF) or in Swahili, Jeshi la Wanahewa, is the national aerial warfare service branch of the Republic of Kenya. He served for 18 years, and retired as a corporal. Patrick received education and training in air defense, transportation technical skills, and leadership.
Patrick and his ex-wife, Penina Nyangweo Ayienda, had four children: Elisha, Winnie, Bornface, and Vincent. When Patrick divorced, he lived with his significant other, Janelle Petzel. They were together for 14 years, and Janelle was Patrick’s fiancée.
Patrick and family moved to Shakopee, and on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, Patrick Biyogon Ayienda died in Shakopee at age 59.
Patrick was survived by his children, and his brothers and sisters, including Clement, Jane, Wilfred, Roda, Gideon, Mellon, and Steven, and his father, Samuel Ayienda Opetakara, the mother of his children, Pamela Biyogo, and fiancée Janelle Petzel. He was preceded in death by his mother, Penina Nyangweso Ayienda, and siblings Marcella and Henry.
Janelle noted that “Patrick was the most kind and passionate man.” A friend noted that “Patrick will be missed for his humor and kindness. He said he was at peace … He was more worried about other people than himself,” said Denise Swenson. “I’ll never forget what a great friend and family man he was.”
Patrick was buried at Valley Cemetery.
Bibliography
“Kisii, Kenya.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kisii,_Kenya.