Margaret Kihanya, 81, always told her children that when the time of her passing comes, she wanted a peaceful transition without pain or struggle with disease.
At 11.30pm on July 29, her househelp named Wanja made frantic calls to her daughters, saying she wasn't feeling well. She lost consciousness and was rushed to Nairobi Hospital where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival.
Her death was swift.
Margaret came from the larger Kenyatta family, being the sister of nominated Senator Beth Mugo.
Her father was President Uhuru Kenyatta's uncle—he was Mzee Jomo Kenyatta's brother. She was considered President Kenyatta's cousin.
She was also the stepmother of retired Captain Kung’u Muigai and Kenya’s ambassador to South Africa, Catherine Muigai Mwangi.
She was a primary school teacher who retired in 1996.
Her 56 years of marriage to Josephat Kihanya gave her six children whom she leaves behind. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Her husband died in 2016.
Her daughter Kathleen Kihanya told a requiem mass on Thursday at Holy Family Basilica that her mother had good health for a long time and never complained of any ailment or disease.
The service was attended by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and politicians Peter Kenneth and David Murathe, among other mourners.
Her daughter said she was mindful of her health and routinely took evening walks to keep physically fit.
“My mother always said she did not want to bother anybody. She always said she wanted a peaceful transition when the time comes,” said Kathleen, a well-known businesswoman.
The family wrote in their eulogy that their matriarch “rested in peace and we truly thank God for the beautiful 81 years that God gave us with her".
Margaret was eulogised as "a woman of substance" who "lived a full purpose-driven life, a great woman of faith, love and fortitude, who loved God and served him with her whole heart".
The family says that since their matriarch lost her husband five years ago, she was never the same. She always said a part of her was taken away. Now she has joined him forever.
“Every time she walked, she would remember and say with sadness how she and her dear Josephat used to walk together at Jafferies. She really missed him," they said.
She was interred in a private ceremony on Thursday.
(Edited by V. Graham)