Sarah Onyango Obama, the step-grandmother of the 44th President of United States, Barack Obama, has passed on at the age of 99.
Sarah Obama, the matriarch of the Obama’s family, fondly called ‘Mama Sarah’ reportedly passed on at the Jaramogi Oginga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu, a commercial city located in Western Kenya.
Marsat Onyango, daughter of Mama Sarah confirmed her demise to local reporters on Monday.
According to her, Mama Sarah passed away at about 4am local time, while being treated at the hospital in Kisumu, Kenya.
In her words, “It is true she has gone to be with the Lord.”
Mama Sarah was born in 1922, in a village on the shores of Lake Victoria. She was the third wife of Hussein Onyango Obama, the grandfather of former president Obama.
The former president, in his memoir titled, “Dreams from my father”, had said he shared a warm and affectionate bond with Mama Sarah, whom he often refers to as ‘Granny’.
She rose to world fame during the administration of her step-grandson, Obama, the first African-American US President. Obama at different times heaped praises on his granny, describing her as a lovely and accommodating woman.
Additionally, Mama Sarah was present at the first inauguration of Obama as the president of US in 2009.
Mama Sarah was also known for her philanthropic activities. Mama Sarah provided food, education, basic medical needs, among others to orphans in her community through her ‘Mama Sarah Obama Foundation’.
The details of her burial is expected to be announced soon, in line with Islamic practices, which was her faith before she passed on to the world beyond.
