FILE photo of activist Okiya Omtatah
Renowned activist Okiyah Omtatah is mourning the death of her daughter Maryanne Marisyanna Omtatah, who succumbed to acute malaria.
The 21-year-old girl died on Thursday, April 16, at 10pm after battling the disease in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Bungoma Hospital for a week.
The activist broke the sad news on his Twitter handle on Friday, April 17, noting the deceased was a third-year university student.
Maryanne Marisyanna Omtatah
She was pursuing a diploma course in Diplomacy and International Relations at Riara University.
“Just to let you know that my 21-year-old little girl who was in third year at university went with the angels to the Lord yesterday at 10 pm. She has been in a comma in ICU for the last one week suffering from acute malaria. Glory be to God. May she rest in eternal peace,” tweeted Omtatah.
Words cannot explain the pain and sorrow of losing my daughter earlier today. May her soul Rest In Peace pic.twitter.com/LwGe6iGSgJ
— Okiya Omtatah Okoiti (@OkiyaOmtatah) April 17, 2020
Following the terrible news, Kenyan’s have trooped on social media sites to share their messages of condolences to the family of the veteran activist.
Joining in, ODM Party Leader and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga sent out his message of condolences to Omtatah, noting that he is familiar with the kind of pain he is experiencing, having lost children in the past too.
My friend Omtatah, pole on losing your daughter Maryanne, to acute malaria. I know the pain of losing a child, let it strengthen you to push harder for policies that improve lives for our people. God grant you strength to cope with the loss. You're in our thoughts and prayers.
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) April 17, 2020
Omtatah has been featured in numerous court proceedings as an activist.
Among his successful cases include saving Kenyans from a 16 per cent fuel tax, which the government cut to eight per cent.
He also secured orders that stopped MPs from earning Sh700 million in backdated house allowances and has also helped recover grabbed public land.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Omtatah’s family during these trying times.
