Mama Mariana's Relatives

Mama Mariana Odongo Othieno died at 78 years of age in the morning of August 8th, 2008. She died at Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi, after a couple of months of illness. She should have lived another 5 to ten years. Alas, it was not to be!


More than one billion Chinese, and several billion more around the world, had looked forward to 08/08/08 with great anticipation -- that date marking, not coincidentally, the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics. But we, Mama Mariana's immediate relatives, had not thought for a moment that the date would turn out to be, for us, what it became. Yet that, as they say, is life. Beginnings and endings lap each other, and overlap.

She had many immediate relatives, some now gone but many very much around. Let me mention some, by relation (as listed in the August 11, 2008 issue of the Daily Nation newspaper):

Wife of Mr. James Othieno Olute of Ukwala, Ugenya, Kenya.

Beloved mother of: Charles Omondi Olute, the late Philip Othieno, Emma Mabachi, Joan Yambo, Anna Othieno, Scholastica Agutu, Beatrice Ahere and the late Benedict Othieno.

Mother-in-law of: Mary Omondi, Victor Mabachi, Prof. Mauri Yambo, Sam Agutu and Frank Ahere.

Sister of: Hellena Akoth, the late Joseph Okoth, Lucas Oduor, the late Theresa Okello, Cll. George Ouma Rarieya, the late Rosa Anyango, Luke Obok Rarieya, Amos Otieno Osur, Erustus Onyango and Marie Rarieya, among others.

Sister-in-law of: Tabitha Rarieya, Esther Otieno Osur, Margaret Akoth, Margaret Anyango, Maria Mbanda, Rosa Akoth, Anna Agola, Maria Osolo, Maria Asande, Clementina Ochieng', Debora and Anna of Gem, Ochieng Olute and others.

Grandmother of: Natabhona Mabachi, Nahama Mabachi, Grado Mabachi, Ochieng' Omondi, Sharon Omondi, Angela Omondi, Tina Omondi, Bella Othieno, Alex Othieno, Kwach Yambo, Chikka Yambo, Rege Yambo, Diana Othieno, Cindy Agutu, Robert Agutu, Lisa Agutu, Natasha Ahere, Tim Ahere and Martin Ahere.

Burial will take place on 23rd August 2008 at her Ukwala home.