PRESIDENT UHURU IN DEEP MOURNING

President Uhuru Kenyatta has mourned veteran politician and fashion icon Mary Orie Rogo Manduli as a woman of many firsts and trailblazer who fought tirelessly for women empowerment.

Uhuru said Manduli was a fearless, bold and practical leader who always spoke her mind.

“It is sad and unfortunate that death has taken away Mama Orie Rogo Manduli, one of our country’s most recognizable, highly charismatic and accomplished politicians. A bold leader and mentor, Ms Manduli tirelessly championed for women empowerment,” Uhuru said.

The head of state recalled the late Manduli’s exploits as a sports woman and model saying Kenyans will forever cherish her achievement as the first African woman Safari Rally driver, a feat she achieved when she took part in the 1974 edition alongside her late co-driver Sylvia Omino.

“The late Orie Rogo Manduli was a woman of many firsts who never shied away from exploring new horizons. She took up and excelled in motorsports at a time when many African women would never have dared thereby opening up the sport to women drivers in later years.

“At the tender age of 16 years, while still in secondary school, Ms Manduli won Miss Kenya beauty pageant . She was simply a phenomenal and standout woman trailblazer,” he said.
On her signature attire and head gear, the Head of State said the departed Manduli fully embraced the African culture and was a recognised fashion icon and trendsetter.

“Mama Orie Rogo Manduli was a fashion icon whose trademark African print attire and prominent head gear made her one of Africa’s most recognizable personalities,” Uhuru said.

The Head of State wished Ms Orie Rogo Manduli’s family God’s grace, fortitude and comfort as they come to terms with her sudden death.

Manduli, 73, passed away on Wednesday evening at her Nairobi home.

According to her personal Assistant Samuel Ndambuki, Manduli passed on as they prepared to go for a dental checkup.

“We had gone for a checkup at Nairobi Hospital yesterday [Tuesday]. This morning we visited her brother at Embakasi and she was very normal. We had a dental appointment this afternoon and as she was doing her makeup, I noticed she leaned on one side,” Ndambuki said.

Manduli had been admitted at Nairobi hospital in July this year with kidney complications and was discharged a month later, Ndambuki said.
Mary Orie Rogo Manduli was born in Maseno, Kisumu County in 1948 to Gordon Rogo and Zeruiah Adhiambo.

Her father was a headmaster and later a councillor while her mother taught at the Kisumu Technical College.

She had three daughters but a divorce happened after five years. She was then remarried to a Zambian, a cousin of former president Frederick Chiluba, Norman Manduli, in 1980.

Sourced from Standard Media