Kitui pioneer governor Malombe’s wife dies

 Mrs Edith Mawia Malombe, wife to the first Kitui County Governor Julius Malombe has died.

Confirming her passing on, the family said Edith died on December 7 after a short illness. Funeral and burial arrangements will be communicated in due course, said Malombe’s family.

“It is with profound sadness that we the family of Dr Julius Makau Malombe, the pioneer Governor of Kitui County, announce the passing on of Mrs Edith  Mawia Malombe on 7^th December 2021 after a short illness” read a message from the family in part.

The former First Lady was a High Court Advocate.

Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu has led leaders in mourning the Tuesday night death of lawyer Edith Mawia who is the wife of former Governor Julius Makau Malombe.

Among those who sent their condolence messages on Wednesday were Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, his predecessor David Musila, Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu, Kitui Senatorial aspirants Stephen Kilonzo and Allan Silla as well as the deceased’s professional colleagues Eric Mutua, Morris Kimuli and Muthusi Kitonga.

Family sources said Edith who was an advocate of the High Court of Kenya died at the Karen Hospital in Nairobi at around 8 pm on Tuesday night where she had been rushed after developing breathing complications. She had recently undergone surgery at the same facility.

A social media post by Ferdinand Kathenge who is close to the family on Wednesday morning said "It is with profound sadness that We the family of Dr. Julius Makau Malombe, the pioneer Governor of Kitui County, announce the passing on of Mrs Edith Mawia Malombe on 7th December 2021 after a short illness."    

It added that funeral and burial arrangements would be communicated in due course and that the family had asked for prayers during this trying time of mourning.  

The late Edith, an advocate of the High Court of Kenya was visible and active with the activities of her family Kyeni Foundation that offered humanitarian support in Kitui when her husband was governor between 2013 and 2017.  

Ngilu said she learned of the passing on of Mama Edith Mawia Malombe with profound shock and sadness. 

Condolences

“On behalf of the County Government and all people of Kitui as well as on my own behalf, I wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to Dr. Julius Malombe and the family, to the Ithiani community, and to all relatives and friends of the family.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as they go through this most difficult and painful moment. Mama Edith was an extremely brilliant and compassionate person and a rock of the Malombe family,” said Ngilu’s message.

 The governor added that for the period that she was First Lady of Kitui County she inspired great hope and ambition in many women- young and old. 

“Her charity work through the Kyeni Foundation which she pioneered went a long way to redress gaps in reproductive health services and information here in Kitui County and beyond. Death has robbed Kitui County of one of its most brilliant daughters,” added Ngilu.

Senator Wambua said he prayed that God would wipe tears and comfort the great people of Kitui County at this time of successive calamities.

“As we mourn the passing on of our people in the Enziu River tragedy and mourn the passing on of our four children who drowned in Mwaani, Makongo (Kitui East); we have lost our pioneer First Lady Mrs Edith Malombe,” mourned the Senator.

He prayed that God would continue to giving comfort and strength to the bereaved families to deal with the devastating loss of their dear ones. 

“To the families of the loved ones we have lost, poleni sana. May the Lord our God continue to give you comfort and strength to deal with the devastating loss of dear ones,” said Wambua.

He vowed to continue praying for the affected families and supporting where possible during this difficult time. He asked them to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

On his part Musila personally reached out to the former governor on phone and conveyed his heartfelt condolences.  He prayed that God would give the bereaved family strength to bear with the loss of the family pillar.

MP Mulu said that it was with much sorrow and on behalf of his family and the people of Kitui Central where the Malombe family hails from, he conveyed his condolences. He prayed that God would give the bereaved family fortitude to bear the loss of an invaluable member.

Kitui senate hopeful Kilonzo said, “it's with profound shock and disbelief that I learned of the passing on of the renowned Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and former Kitui County First Lady Edith Mawia after a short illness. 

Saying he was a close friend of the Malombes, Kilonzo lamented what he described as a dark and sad day to the family, relatives, friends, Kitui County and the Nation at large. He passed his condolences to Dr. Malombe, the children and entire family. 

Mutua a former LSK president mourned the losing of a senior professional colleague.  He said the law profession has been hit hard by her untimely death especially in conveyance matters and leadership. Conveying his condolences, Mutua added she upheld professionalism and was pivotal in decision making at policy level.

Edith’s professional colleague Morris Kimuli said he was deeply saddened by the sudden death of Edith Malombe. 

“Edith was sociable and personable and she served with remarkable grace as the First Lady of Kitui County.

As a lawyer, she was a thoroughbred, consummate and erudite corporate law consultant and trainer. She will be greatly missed within the legal and corporate circles,” said Kimuli.

STORY By MWINGI TIMES TEAM, EDITED By MUSYOKA NGUI