Fate had it that Grace Namuleyi Wasike would be born of Maragoli (maternal) and Bukusu (paternal) descent, be raised Bukusu, and cook in Maragoli. Those who know Luhya politics know such a mix of heritage would have made it incredibly difficult for Namuleyi to do any of what she did. But sheer force of will had it that she met the sunset of her life an unlikely Goebbels of some sort in the grueling battle for Bungoma governor pitting the then incumbent Hon. Ken Lusaka and his successor Wycliffe Wangamati.
It is often said that a person is a sum of their experiences and their stock. If this thought holds true, then Namuleyi was the perfect storm when everything stereotypically Bukusu and Maragoli gets cooked in one pot: street smart, a heart for the people and one who takes no prisoners.
That said, her other moniker Bebi made her all the more intriguing. However – even with her life’s work of helping the needy, uplifting women and fighting the embarrassing scourge of jiggers eating up our downtrodden – I can say without an inch of a doubt that a babe she wasn’t; at least not drawing on evidence from her late in her life reinvention as a political blogger. Pardon me; her rebirth as the most effective online solider that Bungoma politics has ever seen.
It must have come as a surprise to many, as it is often said and thought that social media is a young people thing, the punches that this forty something years old was dealing. Defying the tech luddite tag that bogs down most of her agemates, Namuleyi with great agility introduced, explained and culturized her candidate for governor Wycliffe Wangamati. What Kubende did with his hit songs, Namuleyi did with her online posts – like this one on Kitinda Dairy and Creameries.
Grace Namuleyi Wasike Born 3rd June 1970 – Died 16th July 2018
Death and eulogies
Namuleyi as eulogized by the Governor’s press team
The Office of the Governor regrets to announce the passing of Grace Namuleyi Wasike last night who until her death, was the County’s Liaison Officer at the Council of Governors’ Office. Grace passed on at Kenyatta National Hospital where she was undergoing treatment. Grace has recently been treated for migraines at different facilities in Bungoma and Nairobi and only got admitted at Kenyatta Friday last week for further investigations.
Governor Wangamati eulogized Namuleyi as a strong and courageous woman who went to great lengths to speak her mind and defend her ideals. “Namuleyi was our own Iron Lady, a woman who nobody would silence if she felt like speaking,” Governor Wangamati said. “From her writings, Namuleyi also introduced us to her other side as a mother. To her children, Namuleyi tampered her toughness with the love of a mother, and always carried big dreams for her daughters,” he said. “As a team and family, we are poorer without Grace.”
Deputy governor Prof. Ngome described Grace as a charming and sociable woman and one whose honesty many ran away from. “Grace was full of passion, driven to speak the truth and stood for what she believed in,” he said.
To Namuleyi’s sons and daughters, family and friends, Governor Wangamati sends his deepest sympathies and prays for courage and fortitude through this trying moment. May her soul rest in eternal peace.
Obituary
It is with deep sorrow that the Office of the Governor of Bungoma County announces the promotion to glory of Grace Namuleyi Wasike, Liaison Officer, County Government of Bungoma. Until her death, Grace was based at Delta house Westland, Nairobi.
Wife of Godwin Agesa of South Maragoli, Vihiga County. Loving mother of Leroy Paul Ndenga (Lee) – JKUAT, Linda Lodenyi Agesa (Nana) – Kenyatta University, Leon Mahanga Agesa (Yomi) – University of Nairobi, Lindsay Musimbi Agesa (Cie) – Lugulu Girls High School and Lester Khalayi Agesa (Lech) Mudasa Academy Vihiga. Daughter of the late Mr Silvanus Wasike Nalwakho and late Mama Bernadine Musumi Videdi Wasike of Lumboka village, Bungoma County. Daughter-in-law of Absolom Mahanga Olocho and Hellen Olocho.
Sister of Theresa, Stella, Peter, Junia, Phyllis James, Ruth, Eric and Susan. Step-sister of Elizabeth, Scolastic, Damaris, Truphena, Maureen, Samuel, Peris, Timothy and Melanie. Sister-in-law Lubira, P Obuyekha, N. Murage, J. Limo, the late Edwin Lugado, Sammy Sande, Michael Olocho, Philomen Olocho, Catherine Vutagwa, Anita Milenja, Harriet Kadija, Betty Lodenyi and Emma Muhonja. Aunt of Tony, Tina, Jake, Jessica, Musumi, Wasike, Ray, Ryan, Riley-A, Julie, Natalie, Kylie, Francis, Henry, Janet, Elizabeth, Alice, Samson, Linnet, Aggrey, Phoebe, Cosmas, Florence, Margaret and Samuel.
Funeral arrangements are taking place at Railway Club in Nairobi, matrimonial home in Vihiga and their home in Sinoko Village in Bungoma.
There will be a fundraising for friends, family and colleagues on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at Railway Club Nairobi and Members Club Bungoma from 5pm towards her funeral expenses.
The cortege leaves Kenyatta National Hospital Mortuary on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 7am for an overnight stay at Sinoko Bungoma.
On Thursday, July 26 2018, there will be a prayer service and public viewing of the body at KMTC Grounds in Bungoma starting 8am after which the cortege will leave for Vihiga for an overnight vigil.
Burial ceremony will take place on Friday, July 27, 2018 at Gavalagi village, Lusiola sub-location, South Maragoli Vihiga County from 9am.
Contributions can be sent through MPesa to Pamela Mactolo – 0713 994 243
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7.
Grace Namuleyi Wasike Obituray as it appeared in the website Life in Legacy Kenya.
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