Senator Okiya Omtatah Loses Sister

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah is mourning the death of his sister, Mwalimu Mary Goretti Wamukoya, who passed away on August 21, 2026, after a long illness.

In a statement on Monday, August 31, Omtatah described her sister as a beloved family member whose life was marked by strength, kindness, wisdom and dedication to her family.

"It is with profound sorrow that I mourn the passing of my beloved sister, Mwalimu Mary Goretti Wamukoya, who departed this life on 21st August 2026 after a long illness bravely borne.

"She was a woman of strength, kindness, wisdom and unwavering devotion to her family," he wrote.

Omtatah also conveyed his condolences to the Musita and Okoiti families as they come to terms with the loss, while paying tribute to his late sister's courage and faith.

"May God grant the Musita and Okoiti families strength and comfort during this difficult time. Mary, you fought a good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. Rest in eternal peace," he added.

This comes weeks after Garissa Governor Nathif Jama lost his elder brother, Prof. Bashir Jama Adan, a renowned agricultural development expert and research scientist.

In a statement on Friday, July 31, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale joined leaders in mourning Bashir, describing him as an accomplished professional whose career left a lasting impact on agriculture, scientific research and the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers.

"Prof. Bashir was an internationally acclaimed agricultural development expert, research scientist and visionary leader whose distinguished career spanned more than three decades," he wrote.

Duale noted that Bashir held leadership roles at major international institutions, where he advanced initiatives aimed at improving soil health, promoting sustainable agriculture and strengthening food security across the continent.

"Through his leadership at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), AGRA and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), he championed soil health, sustainable agriculture and food security, helping improve the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers across Africa," he added.

According to Duale, Bashir's work was marked by scientific excellence and a commitment to ensuring research translated into practical solutions for farmers, a quality that earned him global admiration.

"He combined scientific excellence with an unwavering commitment to practical solutions, earning global respect for advancing agricultural innovation while remaining deeply connected to the needs of farming communities," he further said.