Since the first case was recorded in March 2020 in Kenya, more than 10,000 had tested positive of COVID-19, while Kenya had lost atleast 185 patient to death.
Only 2,881 had recovered from the disease as of July 13th 2020.
Among those who died, were well known and prominent Kenyans.
Here are famous Kenyans who succumbed to COVID-19.
1.Dr. Doreen Adisa
Dr Doreen Adisa Lugaliki at 38 years old died of COVID-19 after being admitted to the Aga Khan University Hospital at 10pm.
She lived oblivious that she had diabetes conditions until she diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at the time of death
Lugaliki started her career at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital immediately after her undergraduate studies.
She later worked at the Nairobi Women’s Hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital as a gynaecologist consultant.
2.James Oyigi Onyango
The late Kenya Ports Authority travelled from Mombasa to his home in Siaya in about three days.
He later died after arriving at his home. His blood samples tested positive of COVID-19.
James became a subject of national talk in away he was buried and his family given a tough time in giving him a dignified send off.
3.KQ Pilot Daudi Kibati
This long serving pilot at Kenya Airways seemed to have paid the ultimate price of governments policy to continue flying despite the early warning
He died on April 1st in 2020 a week after his international flight to New York city in bid to evacuate stranded Kenyan in USA.
He became ill on 29th March before his demise.
According to sources at Kenya Airways who requested anonymity, Captain Kibati, who piloted the Dreamliner 787, was tasked with evacuating Kenyans from a city ravaged by the virus under very strict timelines.
The flight had to leave New York City before the lockdown was announced New York Governor Andrew Cuomo began and it had to arrive in Nairobi before March 25.
The former Kenya Airforce pilot aged at 61 years was forced into self quarantine with his first officer at Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi
Kibati had also flown to Italy, then it was the world epicenter of COVID-19
His first officer tested positive along with some of the crew members on the New York – Nairobi flight
4.Tony Waswa Wetang’ula
Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula and Westlands MP Timothy Wanyonyi lost their dear brother Tony Waswa to COVID-19 during the month of May in 2020.
Tony Waswa Wetang’ula who also doubled up as Wanyonyi’s aide passed on while undergoing treatment the Agha Khan Hospital, Nairobi.
“He is one of my younger brothers and he has been working with my brother Tim, helping him. Tim is working with disability and you need somebody close to you to help you navigate through life so Tony has been working with Tim all these years and he has been part of his life,” Wetangula said.
5.Nairobi County Askari
Governor Sonko took to Facebook to mourn one of his men who succumbed to COVID-19 in July
Papa Shirandula
Charles Bukeko aka Papa Shirandula, is dead.
The actor gained fame from his Thursday night comedy series on Citizen TV, Papa Shirandula.
He died at the Karen Hospital to COVID-19 related positive
10 Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know About Late Papa Shirandula
- Charles Bokeko who stars as the main role in Papa Shirandula is the genius Citizen TV show which has been on the airwaves for more than a decade . In the 2010 won the Kalasha Award for Best Actor in a TV Series.
- Papa Shirandula is said to have succumbed to He succumbed to what seemed like COVID-19 symptoms
- Family background shows that Bukeko was the firstborn of four children to parents Valeria Makokha and Cosmas Wafula. He was born in Buhalarire, Mumias, Kenya
- He started his education at Jogoo Road Primary School and then Upper Hill Secondary.
- Bukeko was married to Beatrice Ebbie Andega and they have three children: Tony, Charlie and Wendy.
- He was also featured in popular movies such as The Constant Gardener, Malooned! (2007) and The Captain of Nakara (2012)
- He died at the age of 58 years old. He was born in 1962
- In his career, Bukeko moved from Kakamega to Nairobi and lived in Eastland’s Uhuru estate, where he would often walk many kilometers to the Kenya National Theatre.
- When he changed to Phoenix Theatre, he met famous actor Ian Mbugua who introduced him to James Forkland. Forkland trained Bukeko for free in a period of three years
- Papa Shirandula was a big hit for commercials, he appeared on big brands such as Coca Cola, GOTV and Vodacom
