Kenyans pay tribute to media personality Njambi Koikai
Media personalities and government officials continue to pay tribute to entertainer Njambi Koikai who died on Tuesday.
Ms Koikai was at the Nairobi hospital at the time of her death, receiving treatment for endometriosis, a disease she had lived with for over 20 years.
CNN reporter and news anchor Larry Madowo shared his tribute on Wednesday.
“If I knew this was the last time I would see you, I would have hugged you a little longer, told you again how much I loved you.
“Nobody lived as fully as you did, loved as deeply or fought as hard. Rest well, my friend,” he said.
Adding her voice to the flow of tributes, Nairobi women representative Esther Passaris lamented the loss of such a young “warrior.”
“It’s painful to lose such a young soul. Anti-Endometriosis Warrior Njambi Koikai fearlessly battled the disease with all of her strength. Gone but not forgotten, indeed,” she said.
Sharing how she loved to speak of her grandmother, Philip Etale shared: “I knew her since 2001. She was also very prayerful. One of the things she always talked about was her grandmother, who she was named after and who was her source of inspiration. Then there was a dress she used to wear and talk about her grandmother.”
Ms Koikai’s death has also sparked debate about the state of healthcare in Kenya and in particular our knowledge of endometriosis.
Kenyans have been sharing videos and stories of their own experiences with the disease.
According to 3rd Park Hospital in Kenya, “Endometriosis affects up to 10% of women between the ages of 15 and 44. It most often occurs on or around reproductive organs in the pelvis or abdomen.”
Celebrating her life, Sauti Sol paid tribute to Ms Koikai on Tuesday revealing that she had been their first manager.
“Forever in our hearts. Jahmby Koikai was our first-ever manager. Played a big part in our early stages as a band. The industry has lost a gem. The country has lost a warrior. The heavens have gained an angel. Rest in Power. Your spirit lives on forever!”
