Kenya: Is Barack Obama’s grandmother Mama Sarah dead from Covid-19?

Mama Sarah, the grandmother of former US President Barack Obama, died on Monday morning at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital where she was admitted to the intensive care unit. Some say the old lady died of complications from Covid-19.

Mama Sarah is dead. If several reports reveal that the grandmother of former U.S. President Barack Obama, died of complications related to Covid-19, the family has formally denied. Indeed, Mama Sarah died this Monday morning at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital where she was admitted to the intensive care unit.

Following the news, Sheikh Musa Ishmael, president of the Kisumu Muslim Association, spoke to the press on behalf of the family. He said Mama Sarah, 99, had been ill for some weeks and had been transferred to hospital in agreement with Kisumu Governor Professor Anyang Nyong’o. « Mama did not die of Covid-19 related problems and we want to clarify that she has been ill for some time, » said Sheikh Musa.

Although those attending to her body wore full protective gear against Covid-19, friends and relatives were allowed to see the body. Sheikh Musa said the burial is scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday), in his village of Kogelo, Siaya County. « Islamic traditions require that the body be buried immediately after the death is confirmed, but in this case, Mama Sarah’s family has requested more time so that those residing in Nairobi and other distant flanks can return home to attend the burial, » he said.

Furthermore, Sheikh Musa noted that strict Covid-19 protocol will be observed during the burial. The relatives have made final arrangements to transfer the body to her home in Kogelo. As a reminder, Mama Sarah had travelled to the United States in 2009 to attend the inauguration of her grandson, Barack Obama. They had met again in Kogelo, in July 2018, when the former American President had attended the inauguration of a sports centre created by his half-sister Auma Obama.