Reggae MC Jahmby Koikai Dies Days After Appeal For Blood Donation

Njambi, who had battled the disease since the age of 13 passed away on Monday night, June 3, just days after she sent out an appeal to Kenyans to donate blood to help her recover.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Jun 4, 2024 - 15:33
0
Reggae MC Jahmby Koikai Dies Days After Appeal For Blood Donation
The late reggae MC Mary Njambi Koikai, alias 'Jahmby'. /CITIZEN DIGITAL

Reggae entertainer and health advocate Mary Njambi Koikai, alias Jahmby, is dead. She succumbed to endometriosis at Nairobi Hospital.

Reports indicated that Njambi, who had battled the disease since the age of 13 passed away on Monday night, June 3, just days after she sent out an appeal to Kenyans to donate blood to help her recover.

"Hi fam, I am currently admitted at Pioneer Ward Nairobi Hospital and I kindly require blood O positive. Kindly asking for a blood donor for Mary Njambi Koikai,” the former TV and radio host said on her Instagram stories.

Last Moments

On Monday, she was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after her condition deteriorated.

The late reggae MC Mary Njambi Koikai, alias 'Jahmby' during a past event /PEOPLE DAILY

"She was in the HDU but she is now in the ICU. The blood donation was a success people came through but the problem is that she is critical condition. Now we are praying she feels better," Ghetto Radio's DJ Double Trouble revealed at the time, adding that she had been plugged into life support machines.

However, Senator Gloria Orwoba who has worked with Jahmby on women's health advocacy would, on Tuesday, announce that the MC had passed away on Monday night, stating “My heart is broken. It is not fair. We lost Jahmby Koikai last night. Our warrior is gone."

On his part, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) communications director, Philip Etale, reminisced the late entertainer's moments shared with him, mourning her as a spirited fighter.

“I am gutted beyond expression. Fare thee well my friend, sister and just best friend Fyah Mummah Jahmby Koikai. That beautiful smile, the phone calls we had talking about many things including our days at KBC back in the day, your mastery of the Maragoli language and the jolly moments you shared with those you knew. You had a big family, just a big one… go well my friend,” he said.

Jahmby Koikai has been courageously battling stage IV endometriosis for over 20 years, a disease which has taken a huge toll on her. The suffering from it included 12 lung collapses, damage to vital organs like her lungs, bowel, and diaphragm, and countless painful surgeries.

The veteran reggae host had complained that the late diagnosis and the country's lack of capacity to facilitate such a treatment worsened the situation.

“The damage caused due to late diagnosis and lack of treatment in our country it took me 17 years to get a diagnosis. After fundraising for specialized treatment."

“The extent of the disease had spread to my teeth, heart, and appendix and affected my spine causing my organs to shift to the left. The adverse effects of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis cause infertility,” she said.

She added “In my case, that lining grew in my lungs, causing my lungs to collapse every month and countless surgeries. We shed the lining of the uterus during our monthly periods, unfortunately, with Endometriosis that lining grows on other parts of the body."

Njambi had at one point urged President William Ruto and other leaders to intervene and assist her in paying her medical bills and therapy charges.

Endometriosis

As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can cause severe pain in the pelvis and make it harder to get pregnant.

Endometriosis can start at a person’s first menstrual period and last until menopause. With endometriosis, tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. This leads to inflammation and scar tissue forming in the pelvic region and (rarely) elsewhere in the body.

Reggae MC Jahmby Koikai (right) with nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba (left). /JAHMBY KOIKAI

The cause of endometriosis is unknown. There is no known way to prevent endometriosis. There is no cure, but its symptoms can be treated with medicines or, in some cases, surgery.

It causes a chronic inflammatory reaction that may result in the formation of scar tissue (adhesions, fibrosis) within the pelvis and other parts of the body.