Ambassador Koikai is reported to have died on the morning of Friday, June 14 and missed the burial of his daughter at Lang’ata Cemetery.
Ambassador Daniel Koikai, the father to the late menstruation warrior and reggae entertainer Mary Njambi Koikai, alias Jahmby, has reportedly passed on.
Ambassador Koikai is reported to have died on the morning of Friday, June 14 and missed the burial of his daughter at Lang’ata Cemetery.
Unconfirmed reports indicated that he died by suicide. Viral Tea was informed by a source privy to details regarding the burial that an unknown individual had stepped in to read his late daughter’s eulogy on his behalf.
The family was yet to issue a statement or comment regarding the death of their patriarch by the time of going to press, coming a fortnight after his daughter’s death. Njambi succumbed at Nairobi Hospital after a long battle with endometriosis.
Tight security at Lang’ata Cemetery where Njambi Koikai was laid to rest on June 14, 2024. /CHUMA MOTO MEDIA.YOUTUBE
Ambassador Koikai’s death comes a day after he publicly asked his late daughter for forgiveness for his shortcomings as a father.
“A time has come for me to atone for my acts of omission and commission. It has been one of the most difficult episodes in my life, especially for your close family, your mum, sisters, aunts, uncles, colleagues in the media, and friends in and out of the country,” he expressed.
It was only when Jahmby was in high school that they had the opportunity to reconnect. Ambassador Koikai recounted, “It is only when you got to Form One and I was back in the country that we were able to meet when you came to the office to look for me.”
Despite the distance, he ensured he provided for her education and supported her in various ways.
Meanwhile, Njambi, who had battled the disease since the age of 13 passed away on Monday night, June 3, just days after she sent out an appeal to Kenyans to donate blood to help her recover.
“Hi fam, I am currently admitted at Pioneer Ward Nairobi Hospital and I kindly require blood O positive. Kindly asking for a blood donor for Mary Njambi Koikai,” the former TV and radio host said on her Instagram stories.
The late Jahmby Koikai had been courageously battling stage IV endometriosis for over 20 years, a disease which took a huge toll on her. The suffering from it included 12 lung collapses, damage to vital organs like her lungs, bowel, and diaphragm, and countless painful surgeries.
The veteran reggae host had complained that the late diagnosis and the country’s lack of capacity to facilitate such a treatment worsened the situation.
Endometriosis
As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can cause severe pain in the pelvis and make it harder to get pregnant.
