Obama Family Says Mama Sarah Did Not Die of COVID-19, Burial Set for Tuesday

The Obama family has clarified that Mama Sarah Obama did not die from COVID-19 complications.

Speaking on behalf of the family, the Chairperson of Kisumu Muslims Association Sheikh Musa Ishmael said Mama Sarah has been ailing for the past few weeks.

“Mama has not died of Covid-19 related issues and we want to clarify that she has been sick for some time. She was transferred to the hospital after deliberations with Kisumu Governor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o,” Sheikh Musa, who was accompanied by some family members, told journalists in Kisumu.

She will be buried at her Kogelo village home in Siaya County in line with Muslim burial traditions.

“Islamic traditions require that the body is interred immediately after the confirmation of death, but for this case, the family of Mama Sarah has requested for more time so that those who reside within Nairobi and other far flanks can travel home to attend the burial,” Sheikh Musa added.

Mama Sarah, the grandmother to former US President Barack Obama, died at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital at around 4.45 am on Monday aged 99.

The nonagenarian will be remembered for her philanthropic work, which saw her initiate many community development projects in her Nyang’oma Kogelo village.

She was the third wife of the paternal grandfather of Obama, who was elected as the first black US President in 2009 and served for two terms until 2017.