120-Year-Old Kenyan Woman Dies, Leaving Behind 250 Great-Grandchildren

Leah Wangui Gitau, a 120-year-old woman believed to be Kenya’s oldest person, has passed away.

Wangui died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Umoja village in Mpeketoni, Lamu County, on Sunday night, according to her 65-year-old last-born daughter Esther Nyagichuhi Kurua.

“Recently we observed she was too sleepy and her appetite had reduced. She was a strong woman. We thank God for all the years He enabled us to stay and enjoy life with our mother,” Esther told Nation.

Esther believes her departed mother lived a long, healthy life due to her strict adherence to a proper diet.

“Our mother maintained a traditional diet during her lifetime. I believe that is key to her long lifespan. We used to feed her traditional foods like sweet potatoes and vegetables and also ensured she ate meat and vegetable soup,” she said.

Wangui, who was born in 1902, was a mother of 16 children, including 14 daughters and two sons, nine of whom have died. Her eldest son Isaac Ngugi is 90 years.

The deceased leaves behind 63 grandchildren, 250 great-grandchildren, 184 great-great-grandchildren, and 45 great-great-great grandchildren.

Her body was moved to Mpeketoni sub-County Hospital mortuary as the family makes burial arrangements.