Obama’s aunt succumbs to cancer

The family of President Barack Obama’s Kenyan-born aunt, who died in the US on Tuesday, wants her body flown home for burial.

Mama Sarah Obama made the wish Wednesday after receiving the news of her daughter, Zeituni Onyango’s death.

In life, Ms Onyango fought hard to avoid Kenya, saying her life would be in danger if she were forced to return to her homeland.

In death, her family now wants her body returned home for its final rest. Ms Onyango, 61, is said to have died of breast cancer.

She was fighting to obtain US citizenship at the time of her death in a rehabilitation centre where she was being nursed.

Ms Onyango had only been granted a waiver of deportation, which also allowed her to work in the United States.

She was the step-sister of Barack Obama Senior and is survived by four children. She lost her husband some years back.

The Nation gathered that Ms Onyango worked at beer maker Kenya Breweries Ltd as a systems administrator before she moved with her family to the US in 2000.

PASSIONATE SOUL

She was pushed into the limelight when she contributed towards Mr Obama’s presidential campaign in 2008, against the law.

The Associated Press, an international media outlet, reported that Ms Onyango was living in the US illegally after being asked by the courts to leave the country.

Wednesday, Mr Henry Sidiga, Mama Sarah Obama’s personal assistant, said the exact date for her burial had not been determined.

He described Ms Onyango as a passionate soul that only cared about the welfare of her family.

He said Mama Sarah was not in a position to speak because she was still in shock after receiving the news of her daughter’s death.

Security was tight at her Kogelo home in Siaya County Wednesday.

Journalists who went to the home on Tuesday evening were barred from entering the compound. Mr Nicholas Rajula, a relative of the Obamas who later agreed to speak to the media, said they were in touch with the family in the US to discuss the way forward.

Mr Rajula said Ms Onyango had been suffering from breast cancer since 2007. The sad news was conveyed to the family at around 12pm on telephone by Ms Masat Obama, a sister of Ms Onyango, who had been with her in hospital.

“I prepared Mama well and we even took lunch together before I conveyed the news to her,” said Mr Rajula, who is also the director of Kogelo Village Resort.

He said it was the family’s wish that Ms Onyango is buried at home in accordance with Luo customs.

Her body had been moved to the mortuary awaiting further discussions on funeral arrangements, he added.

On March 13, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is on a tour of the US, posted a photo in which he was seated at Ms Onyango’s bedside on his Twitter account.

“Visiting President Obama’s aunt, Ms Zeituni Onyango, at a Boston hospital,” read Mr Odinga’s caption.

Reports by Moses Odhiambo, Everline Okewo and Nelcon Odhiambo