The family of the late powerful cabinet minister, Simeon Nyachae, is bereaved following the death of his eldest daughter, Mary Basweti Nyachae.
Mary, who formerly served as a member of the Commodities Board of Trustees, passed away on Wednesday morning at MP Shah Hospital in Nairobi after weeks of hospitalization due to cancer complications, a family member confirmed.
She was the firstborn daughter of the late Nyachae, who died on February 1, 2021, at the Nairobi Hospital. Mary was the elder sister of lawyer Charles Nyachae, the current chairman of the Kenya School of Government.
Just a week earlier, the hospital had appealed for blood donations to extract platelets for Mary, who at the time was admitted to the hospital’s ICU.
“So sad to learn of the untimely demise of Mary Basweti, a dear daughter to the late Hon. Mzee Simeon Nyachae. May the Almighty God grant the family peace and strength during this difficult period of mourning,” former Nyaribari Chache MP Richard Tong’i wrote.
Former Kisii County Secretary Patrick Lumumba also paid tribute, saying:
“Mrs. Mary Basweti Nyachae, eldest daughter of the late esteemed politician Mzee Simeon Nyachae—a distinguished figure from our Gusii region—has passed away. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the entire Nyachae family and my friend Charles Nyachae on the untimely loss of your beloved sister. May you find comfort in the Lord.”
Mary’s death comes barely a week after the family buried Erick Manyara Mochache, who died suddenly in Narok. Erick, who was laid to rest in Ngata, Nakuru, was a grandson of the late Nyachae and a nephew to Charles.
His mother, Angela Mochache, is one of Simeon Nyachae’s daughters.
Tragically, Mary passed on as some of her siblings were traveling upcountry for the burial of their aunt, Mary Nyaboke Sagini, who will be laid to rest tomorrow at Riensune village, Nyansiongo Ward, Nyamira County.
Sagini was the widow of the late George Lawrence Sagini, Kenya’s first Minister for Education at Independence, who also served as Kitutu Chache MP.
The late Sagini was a brother of Marita, the mother of Charles Nyachae.
On July 17, 2023, Charles had posted a photo with his sister Mary, celebrating her with heartfelt words:
"I woke up today feeling I needed to celebrate this
young girl...my slightly older sister, Mary Basweti AKA Madam Mary, AKA
Chietona. We spoke for over an hour on the phone today, mainly reminiscing
about the last 60-plus years, inevitably celebrating Dad and our grandmother
Paulina Bosibori. All in all, God has been gracious. My sister, I celebrate you
with much love!"
