Fatma Rajab, the Mombasa journalist who died of heart complications, has been laid to rest.
Fatma, 27, was interred at Mkomani cemetery, in accordance with Islamic funeral rights.
Her body was prayed for at the Masjid Fat'hi in Mkomani.
The prayers were led by Ustadh Salim Juma.
Her father Rajab Ali Simenze was overwhelmed by emotions after her burial, lacking words for journalists who showed immense unity and love for Fatma.
"Allah will repay you for your kindness," were the only words he could mutter.
She was buried after dhuhur prayers, at 1.30 pm.
Hundreds of family, friends and colleagues turned up for the burial.
The body stayed overnight at their Kashani residence in Kiembeni, Kisauni subcounty.
Fatma breathed her last at around noon on Saturday, two days after concerted efforts by fellow journalists and Kadzanani MCA Fatma Kushe to ensure she gets the best possible treatment.
Her family surrounded her at the time of her death.
Fatma, who also worked for Radio Salaam before moving to Mo Radio, had been suffering from rheumatic heart disease, a condition in which the heart valves have been permanently damaged by rheumatic fever.
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can affect many connective tissues, especially in the heart.
MCA Fatma Kushe said the media fraternity in Mombasa had lost a budding journalist whose future looked bright.
“We cannot criticize the work of Allah. Allah gave and Allah has taken away. We say thank you,” Kushe said.
Mo Radio management said they have lost one of the most active interns at their station.
“We say pole to the family. It is a sad day for us. We will see how we are going to help the family,” the management said.
Kenya Correspondents Association Coast chapter chairman Omar Shungu said Fatma’s charisma and diligence in executing her duties will be missed by the whole of Mombasa and the Coast region at large.
“We extend our sincere condolences to her family and friends and the entire media fraternity in Mombasa and the region at large,” Shungu said in a statement.
Shungu noted the unity of the Mombasa media fraternity in highlighting Fatma’s plight as she appealed for assistance to raise funds for the much-needed heart surgery was admirable.
“Surely, to Allah, we belong and to Him we shall return. May Allah grant her Jannatul Firdaus,” Shungu said.
Fatma’s father Rajab Ali Simenze, who was overwhelmed with emotions when journalists visited him at his Kashani residence on Saturday evening, said he would only pray for the media fraternity and all those who tried to help his daughter.
“I thank Allah for His doing. His work has no blemish. I also thank MCA Kushe who insisted that we take my daughter to Coast General Hospital even though we had no money and no way to ensure that the bills would be paid for her treatment there,” Simenze said.