Fare thee well, Mary Onyango

By Njoki Karuoya

The news of Mary Onyango's death was a shock to many. Yes, she had set herself especially apart as a crusader against the deadly breast cancer that has taken the lives of many women in Kenya. She worked hard to convince women (and men) on the importance of screening for the cancer and encouraged Kenyans to take the bold step.

When she realised that various groups of people found it hard to access health centres to screen for breast cancer, she pooled her support system and secured a mobile caravan, completely fitted with screening machines and drove it to the rural areas, where women queued patiently to check their status.

The Late Mary Onyango

This, truly, was a clear demonstration of what the strength of a single woman can achieve. Mary touched the lives of hundreds of families, especially women, with her work and she became a national icon.

As the vice chairperson of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, her legacy was to create and safeguard a peaceful and prosperous Kenya. Bless you, Mary.

I asked a few of my colleagues to pen their thoughts of Mary and her legacy and these are their words:

If it were possible to deliver text messages to the departed, I would send the following to Mary Onyango: “Thanks for teaching us how to ‘fight the good fight’.”

Those who knew the former National Cohesion and Integration Commission vice-chair can attest to her passion for her a peaceful Kenya. She travelled all over the country planting the seed of peace and reminding us the importance of reigning in on hate-mongers.

However, it was her fight against breast cancer that really brought out Mary’s fighting spirit. Despite her ailment, she continued to soldier on in her work with enthusiasm, vigour and a touch of colour.

I remember interviewing her for a story on breast cancer. And, No, I did not leave her Kenya Breast Health office full of pity for her. Through her well-chosen words, she made me see the hope beyond her condition. She was energetic, knowledgeable and quite warm. I guess it is that hope that carried her through her tasks to her last day.

Zipporah Musau, Managing Editor, Magazines.

……………………….

I first met Mary Onyango at the launch of the Africa Cancer Foundation. She told a troubling story. People were applying for her position at work simply because they knew she had cancer. For them it was a given that she would no longer be an asset to the Commission.

How sadly mistaken they were and what a legacy they now have to contend with. That this woman, while facing a battle like no other, did not give up on her mission to unite Kenyans. And till her death, she remained one of the most respected voices in Kenya’s reform process.

The last time I saw Mary was in our studios, a little less than two weeks before she died. It was probably her last LIVE interview. Looking back, her health must have been deteriorating. But you wouldn’t have known. She took on our questions with grace and conviction.

I salute Mary for serving her country as the curtain came down, at a time we would have forgiven her for lying low. May we all find the strength to do the same.

 Anne Kiguta, Senior Anchor, KTN.

………………………

Many would call Mary Onyango a Lady of Steel. I perceived her differently though, as a woman who faced reality as it was, tackling every challenge with a smile while wiping away tears of despair, as she nudged her spirit to keep striving.

I had an opportunity to interview her on her life as a nationalist and a woman battling cancer.

“We live because we love; and love to see a better tomorrow. It is the hope of that positive change that makes me put my feet on the ground every day,” she said.

Mary can no longer put her feet on the ground, but her footsteps mark our pathways of life.

“Ted” is how many of your loved ones referred to you. May your memory constantly nudge us towards the path you took; to unite Kenyans to work for and look to a better tomorrow.

Isabella Kituri, KTN anchor.

……………………

Cancer has once again robbed this country of not just another citizen, but a peace crusader as well as a promoter of breast health.

Mary Onyango was my role model — she was confident, firm and believed in what she said and did. I greatly admired Mary for her strength of character.

She knew she had cancer when she applied for a job as a commissioner at NCIC, where her rallying call was for all of us to be united as Kenyans. Could we honour her memory by making every effort to remain united?

Rest in peace Mary, your life was not in vain. You fought the good fight and touched so many lives.

Susan Kasera, Senior Editor, Production & Quality.

………………………

I never met Mary Onyango in person. I never interviewed her personally. I never even spoke to her in person. However, I revered the woman. I thought I would one day meet her in person and ask one question to confirm the picture I had in my mind of her — “What gives you so much strength?”

From the stories I read and those I edited, Onyango came through as a very strong willed person. Her pictures spoke of someone full of energy, bubbling, and happy with life. She is one of the few public figures I had the easiest time choosing which picture to publish with her story — her smile told her story.

Wanyonyi Wambilyanga,  Chief Sub-Editor, Weekend Editions.

……………………

Kenyans will until the end of time cherish the bold nature and go-getter attitude that describe fallen National Cohesion and Integration Commission vice-chair Mary Onyango.

She always projected the image of a selfless individual, who always believed in the ‘Kenyan Dream’. Watching her on television on the night of March 24 condemning negative ethnicity without fear, she struck the cord of nationalism with rare confidence.

This is one woman who despite failing health took social ills and ineptitude head-on, to the point of brushing shoulders with the high and mighty.

Many virtues stood out in her mannerisms, including fashion, style and love for whatever she set her hands upon to do. Kenyans will forever miss Onyango’s rare calling and devotion to shape the destiny of her country. Rest in Peace.

Mark Oloo, Senior Sub-Editor.