Ngilu mourns former first lady Edith Malombe

Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu has joined leaders in mourning lawyer Edith Mawia, wife to former governor Julius Makau Malombe.

Family sources said Edith, an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, died at the Karen Hospital in Nairobi at around 8pm on Tuesday night.

She had been rushed there after developing breathing complications. She had also undergone surgery recently at the same facility.

Among those who sent their condolence messages on Wednesday were Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, former Kitui Senator David Musila, Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu and Kitui senatorial aspirants Stephen Kilonzo and Allan Silla.

Others included the deceased’s professional colleagues Eric Mutua, Morris Kimuli and Muthusi Kitonga.

A social media post by Ferdinand Kathenge who is close to the family on Wednesday said: "It is with profound sadness that we the family of Julius Makau Malombe, the pioneer governor of Kitui, announce the passing on of Edith Mawia Malombe on December 7 after a short illness."   

It added that burial arrangements would be communicated in due course.

The deceased was actively involved in the activities of her family's Kyeni Foundation which offered humanitarian support in Kitui when her husband was governor between 2013 and 2017. 

Ngilu said she learnt of her passing on with profound shock and sadness.

“On behalf of the county government and all the people of Kitui, I wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to Julius Malombe and the family, to the Ithiani community, relatives and friends of the family.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as they go through this most difficult and painful moment. Mama Edith was an extremely brilliant and compassionate person and a rock of the Malombe family,” Ngilu’s message read.

The governor added that she inspired great hope and ambition in many women young and old for the period that she was first lady.

“Her charity work through the Kyeni Foundation which she pioneered went a long way to redress gaps in reproductive health services and information here in Kitui and beyond.

"Death has robbed Kitui of one of its most brilliant daughters,” Ngilu said.

Senator Wambua condoled with the family saying the county had been on a losing streak.

"As we morn the passing on of our people in the Enziu River tragedy and the four children who drowned in Mwaani, Makongo, we have lost our pioneer first lady Edith Malombe. As your senator, I promise to continue praying and supporting you," he said. 

Musila also personally reached out to the former governor on phone and conveyed his heartfelt condolences.  He prayed that God would give the bereaved family strength to bear with the loss.

MP Mulu also conveyed his condolences on behalf of his family and the people of Kitui Central where the Malombe family hails from.

He prayed that God would give the bereaved family fortitude to bear the loss of an invaluable member.

Kitui senate hopeful  Kilonzo said: “It's with profound shock and disbelief that I learned of the passing on of the renowned advocate and former Kitui first lady Edith Mawia after a short illness."

Kilonzo said he was a close friend of the Malombe , adding that it was a dark and sad day to the family, relatives, friends, Kitui county and the nation at large. 

Mutua, former LSK president, mourned the loss of a senior professional colleague. 

He said the law profession has been hit hard by her untimely death especially in conveyance matters and leadership.

Conveying his condolences Mutua added that she upheld professionalism and was pivotal in decision making at policy level.

Morris Kimuli, a colleague, said he was deeply saddened by the sudden death of Edith Malombe.

“Edith was sociable, and served with remarkable grace as the first lady. As a lawyer, she was a thoroughbred, consummate and erudite corporate law consultant and trainer. She will be greatly missed within the legal and corporate circles,” Kimuli said.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)