President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent a message of condolence to the family, friends and relatives of the former assistant minister and author Grace Ogot who passed on this morning at a Nairobi hospital.
In his message, the President said the late Grace Ogot was an extraordinary woman who demonstrated service to her country, through her immense talent and unwavering patriotism.
“There are many in this nation and beyond who will deeply miss her work as she truly demonstrated a life of service, love, compassion and excellence. May she rest in peace,” said the President.
Uhuru said the late Grace Ogot will be remembered as a loving and caring Kenyan leader who always had a smile to help brighten others.
“She was truly a gem and always a pleasure to be around her,” said the President. He further said it was because of her commitment and loyalty to the nation that the late Grace Ogot was appointed to serve the nation in various capacities. He pointed out that Grace Ogot was an intelligent writer whose works possessed a rare grace and compassion.
“Her beautiful works are evidence of her deep connection with the mood of our Nation, as well as the temper of its communities as they navigated their heritage through rapidly unfolding modernisation. She spoke to a life that she understood profoundly through study and experience and directed our minds to the possibilities that lie in bridging the lived life with living ideas. I will always treasure the simplicity, beauty, honesty and hope that shone through her elegant words. A woman of many parts -leader, teacher, manager, story teller, parent, mentor and humanitarian-Dr Ogot is heroine and a national treasure.” Uhuru said.
He said even as the family and nation mourn the passing of one of the Kenyans women legends it is equally important to thank God for having given the country such a unique leader.
The President said the late Ogot was keen to fight for the rights of the girl child and ensured that many were accorded opportunities to acquire education.
He assured the family of his support and prayers at this difficult mourning period.
Deputy President William Ruto described Ogot as an outstanding politician, a prolific author, journalist and nurse who contributed immensely to the development of this country in a public life career spanning several decades. He said the late Ogot was a focused leader whose humble but firm approach to issues affecting the society produced positive results that endeared her to the people and earned her the many leadership positions that she held during her lifetime.
The DP said that due to her leadership qualities, the late Ogot in 1983 became one of the only handful of women to serve as a member of Parliament and only woman assistant Minister in the then Cabinet. Ruto assured the bereaved family that he shared their grief at this difficult time of mourning and prayed to God to give them the necessary fortitude to bear the loss.
UDF party leader Musalia Mudavadi said Ogot carried herself with a lot of grace, respect and dignity during her time in Parliament further describing her as “an icon of humility and held family values in high esteem,”
“Grace was a stalwart and pioneer leader in women liberation in Kenya. She lend a motherly blend to Kenyan politics always concerned about the less privileged, especially the girl child. She spoke less but achieved a lot. She was the untypical politician who remains a role model on how to be a leader without loosing her feminine identity,” He said.
The former Gem MP passed away aged 85 at the Nairobi Hospital following a short illness on Wednesday.
