Kenya mourns death of Obama's grandmother

Mama Sarah Obama is dead, family sources confirmed to local media outlets on Sunday evening.

She was the grandmother to Barack Obama, the former President of the United States.

Mama Sarah had been sick for a while and died while undergoing treatment at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu.

She was the third wife of Hussein Obama and she died at the age of 99.

Mama Sarah was a strong believer of the Islamic faith.

Sheikh Musa Ismail Haji, Chairman of the Kisumu Muslim Association, said Mama Sarah will be buried according to Muslim religious customs at her home in Kogelo tomorrow morning (March 30).

In his message of comfort, President Uhuru Kenyatta mourned the Obama family matriarch as an icon of family values and a philanthropist whose contribution to the progress of the Kenyan nation shall be dearly missed.

Former Prime Minister and ODM leader Raila Odinga has mourned Mama Sarah as a “matriarch who lived ahead of her time” and “a symbol of the resilience and confidence of the African woman with a unique capacity to face the challenges of life.”

Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o described her as a motherly figure to many and a philanthropist who helped to mobilize funds to pay school fees for many and vulnerable children. She also supported many widows.