Mama Sarah Obama dies in Kisumu
Mama Sarah Obama, former United States President Barack Obama’s grandmother, has died in Kisumu.
According to the family, Mama Sarah passed on at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital after a short illness at around 4.45am.
She passed away aged 99 years.
Mama Sarah had dedicated her life to service towards helping orphans and vulnerable children through her Foundation.
A neighbour said she had been battling diabetes and old age for nearly two years that saw her admitted to various hospitals in Siaya and Kisumu.
Last week she was admitted at Avenue hospital before she was moved to JOOTRH on Friday where she succumbed.
Several leaders led by ODM chief Raila Odinga have since come out to express their condolences to the family of the deceased.
“In the passing of Mama Sarah Obama, we have lost a matriarch who lived ahead of her time. She single-handedly kept the family going long after the husband departed,” condoned Raila.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o pointed out that Mama Sarah was very charming and warm to those who visited her in her home in Kogelo.
“She was my late mother’s friend and a dear grandmother to all of us,” said Prof. Nyong’o in a statement.
He added that Mama Sarah was a philanthropist who helped to mobilize funds to pay school fees for many orphans and vulnerable children.
“Mama Sarah was not only a patriarch of the larger Obama family but a motherly figure to many people. She was a philanthropist who helped to mobilize funds t pay school fees for many orphans and vulnerable children. She also supported many widows,” said the Governor.
Burial plans are already underway for the matriarch.
