Lamu residents mourn death of PS El Maawy
Government officials led by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala receive the body of Public Works PS Mariam El-Maawy at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on September 30, 2017. The PS died in South Africa while undergoing treatment. PHOTO | FRANCIS NDERITU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- PS El Maawy died while undergoing treatment for injuries sustained during an Al-Shabaab attack.
- Governor Fahim Twaha eulogized her as a hardworking and dedicated woman.
Lamu residents continue to mourn Public Works Principal Secretary Mariam El Maawy who died in a South African hospital on Wednesday.
PS El Maawy died while undergoing treatment for injuries sustained during an Al-Shabaab attack at Milihoi area on Lamu-Mpeketoni road on July 13.
The attack, which claimed the lives of her nephew, Arrif Kassim, 21, and her five bodyguards left her nursing gunshot wounds in the chest and burns on the legs.
APPOINTMENT
Speaking to journalists in Lamu on Friday, residents termed PS El Maawy as a selfless woman who served the county and nation well.
Government officials led by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala receive the body of Public Works PS Mariam El-Maawy at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on September 30, 2017. PHOTO | FRANCIS NDERITU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Save Lamu Civil Society Organisation chairman Mohamed Abubakar said Ms El Maawy’s appointment as PS had ushered in a new dawn for the region.
He said Ms El Maawy was the only appointee in the national government from Lamu in decades and said it would only be proper that her replacement be appointed from Lamu in her honour.
“It’s unfortunate to lose an educationist, mother, daughter and counsellor. We have been so proud of Ms El Maawy.
"She had been our light. Whenever she was around and even far, we knew we had someone to run to, and now she is no more.
LEGACY
"All we ask is that the President considers appointing her replacement from here to continue with what she was doing. It will be a way of also honouring her and keeping her spirit alive,” Mr Abubakar said.
On Thursday, Lamu leaders led by Governor Fahim Twaha eulogized her as a hardworking and dedicated woman who was a role model for girls in the county.
Her body was flown in on Friday evening.
