Sarah Obama, Barack Obama’s step-grandmother, dies in Kenya

Former President Barack Obama‘s step-grandmother passed away around 4 a.m. local time in Kenya’s third-largest city, Kisumu, on Monday.

The family’s matriarch, Sarah Obama, was at least 99 years old and promoted education for girls and orphans in her rural Kogelo village.

Her foundation, The Mama Sara Obama Foundation helped provide food and education to children who lost their parents providing school supplies, uniforms, basic medical needs, and school fees. The United Nations honoured her in 2014 with the inaugural Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Education Pioneer Award.

Sarah Obama was being treated at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral hospital in Kisumu, according to her daughter Marsat Onyango.

Relatives and officials have confirmed her death but could not disclose the cause of death. According to a family spokesman, the former president had been informed of the death and has sent his condolences.

The former president also tweeted a tribute, saying his family was mourning her loss. “My family and I are mourning the loss of our beloved grandmother, Sarah Ogwel Onyango Obama, affectionately known to many as ‘Mama Sarah’ but known to us as ‘Dani’ or Granny,” he said.

“We will miss her dearly, but we’ll celebrate with gratitude her long and remarkable life.”

The matriarch is expected to be buried Tuesday before midday and the funeral will be held under Islamic rites.

My family and I are mourning the loss of our beloved grandmother, Sarah Ogwel Onyango Obama, affectionately known to many as “Mama Sarah” but known to us as “Dani” or Granny. We will miss her dearly, but we’ll celebrate with gratitude her long and remarkable life. pic.twitter.com/avDY4f1PVu

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 29, 2021