Veteran reggae MC, Mary Njamby Koikai, has succumbed to endometriosis. She has been battling the disease publicly for a few years now but she has suffered from it since she was 13. Her friends and family confirmed the news of her passing. She succumbed to the disease on Tuesday morning while receiving treatment in the Nairobi Hospital ICU.
The former Metro FM radio host has advocated for awareness of endometriosis and raised money to offset her medical bills of 2.4 million. Njambi underwent more than 15 surgeries, for months, in the USA in 2019. Her late diagnosis and lack of treatment in the country made the situation worse.
“The damage caused due to late diagnosis and lack of treatment in our country it took me 17 years to get a diagnosis. After fundraising for specialized treatment.”
“The extent of the disease had spread to my teeth, heart, appendix and affected my spine causing my organs to shift to the left. The adverse effects of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis cause infertility,” she said in her last post on her social media platforms.
What is Endometriosis
According to the WHO, endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can cause severe pain in the pelvis and make it harder to get pregnant. This leads to inflammation and scar tissue forming in the pelvic region and (rarely) elsewhere in the body.
The cause of endometriosis is unknown. There is no known way to prevent endometriosis. There is no cure, but its symptoms can be treated with medicines or, in some cases, surgery.
In August 2022, Njambi contested for the Dagoretti South parliamentary seat as an independent candidate. Her battle with the disease for over two decades steered her towards a political path to achieve representation and mobilize funds for millions of women. She was not successful, however, the seat was clinched by John Kiarie.
Due to her endless advocacy, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya appointed Ms Koikai as the county’s official endometriosis ambassador in 2023.
Her final posts were a loud and brave cry for the silent disease that millions of Kenyan women suffer in silence. During his recent state visit, She urged the President to visit specialized endometriosis facilities in the US. She also appealed for blood group O donations as she lay in Pioneer Ward of Nairobi Hospital.
Kenyans on social media are still mourning Njambi. She has been described as a hustler, brave endometriosis warrior with an angelic charm.
