Sarah Onyango Obama, the grandmother of former United States President Barack Obama, has died at the age of 99 in Kenya.
Onyango Obama, a matriarch of the Obama family, was the third wife of Obama’s grandfather Hussein Obama.
Her daughter Marsat Onyango said Obama has died this morning at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral hospital in Kisumu.
“It is true she has gone to be with the Lord,” she said.
Kenya’s The Standard reported that Mama Sarah will be buried tomorrow morning according to Muslim religious customs at her home in Kogelo.
President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya in his condolence message described Obama as an icon of family values and a philanthropist whose contribution to the progress of the Kenyan nation shall be dearly missed.
As a philanthropist, Obama for decades assisted children with food, medical supplies, school fees and uniforms.
Barrack Obama in his memoir, “Dreams from My Father.” Referred to Mama Sarah as “Granny” and described meeting her during his 1988 trip to Kenya. Mama attended Obama’s first inauguration as president in 2009.
