ODM founder Mama Zaharia Kajembe is dead.
The deceased was a wife to Former Changamwe MP Ramadhan Seif Kajembe.
In a tweet by ODM leader Raila Odinga, the former MP, who was a member of his party lost her wife on Tuesday morning.
In his condolences message Raila tweeted: “My condolences go out to the family of Hon. Ramadhan Seif Kajembe, former MP for Changamwe following the passing on of Mama Zaharia this morning. Mama Zaharia was a strong advocate for women’s empowerment and a founder member of @TheODMparty. May her soul Rest In Eternal Peace.”
Her husband was last the MP for Changamwe Constituency from 2007 to 2013.
He had served for three terms as MP for Changamwe since 1997.
He was also an Assistant Minister for Environment and Mineral Resources in the Grand Coalition Government.
He ran for Mombasa Senatorial seat but lost to human rights activist Omar Hassan in 2013.
We join the family of Hon. Ramadhan Seif Kajembe, a former MP for Changamwe & Ass. Minister in mourning the death of his wife Mama Zaharia early this morning. Mama Zaharia was a founder member of the party & a strong grassroots mobilizer in Mombasa. May her soul RIP. pic.twitter.com/OgOKV5g64n
— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) March 3, 2020
Mrs Kajembe had kidney problems that led to her demise.
Ramadhan had tried grooming his late son to join politics and had asked him to vie for the Jomvu seat in 2013.
However, he lost to the current Jomvu Member of Parliament Badi Twalib
In the 2017 General Election, the young Kajembe could not contest for the Parliamentary seat due to the kidney problem.
His untimely death was a shock to many with Kenyans on social media sending condolences to the family.
My condolences go out to the family of Hon. Ramadhan Seif Kajembe, former MP for Changamwe following the passing on of Mama Zaharia this morning. Mama Zaharia was a strong advocate for women’s empowerment and a founder member of @TheODMparty. May her soul Rest In Eternal Peace.
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) March 3, 2020