Curtain falls on Kenyan author and rights activist Zarina Patel

Kenyans are mourning the death of Zarina Patel, a renowned writer and human rights activist who also promoted race relations and campaigns for social justice.

Zarina, 88, was before her untimely demise a leading authority on Kenyan-South Asian history, and editor of the journal AwaaZ, which focuses on South Asian history and culture in the national context.

Although she was born and raised in an upper-middle-class family, she rejected opulence and sought personal liberty and fullfillment by identifying with multi-ethnic and multi-racial groups struggling for human rights and freedom from exploitation and domination in Kenya.

She was of South Asian origin and is remembered for not only struggling against the oppression faced by fellow women but was also involved in other movements against injustice.

Zarina has followed in the footsteps of Makhan Singh, the father of trade unionism in Kenya; Manilal Desai who worked closely with Harry Thuku in the anti-colonial struggles and her grandfather, Alibhai Mulla Jeevanjee, who bestowed Jeevanjee Gardens to Nairobians.

She has authored the biographies of all three personalities as well as the work of South Asian journalists in the in-between world of Kenya's media.

The AwaaZ magazine started by recording the lives of East African heroes of South Asian descent and now focuses on minority and diversity issues.

AwaaZ is now in its eighteenth year of publication and has the SAMOSA Festival as its cultural arm.

Fight for Jeevanjee Gardens

She is prominently remembered for raising her voice against what was then perceived as a government-sponsored attempt to grab Jeevanjee Gardens in 1991.

“I learnt from the newspapers that Jeevanjee Gardens was up for private development. The Nairobi City Council in collaboration with development partners planned to develop it into a multi-storey parking lot with a bus terminus, markets, theatres and shopping malls. At the time, I was based in Mombasa and I travelled to Nairobi with my mother, the youngest child of Jeevanjee, and began a spirited campaign to stop the development. I had the backing of the public, media and some activists with whose help we managed to halt the development,” she said during a past interview with the Parents magazine.

While issues about human rights and the environment were at the core of Zarina's work, she has also fought personal battles challenging religious and racial discrimination.

Notable leaders of the struggle for democratic space mourned her as a fearless rights advocate. Human Rights lawyer, journalist, and politician Gitobu Imanyara described her as a friend and fearless democracy champion.

"A fearless pro-democracy and human rights activist Zarina Patel has rested. Fare thee well my friend. May your soul rest in eternal power," said Imanyara.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Chief Executive Officer Oduor Ong'wen who was a key player in the movement for Kenya's Second Liberation described Zarina as a patriot and revolutionary.

"This morning, Comrade Zarina Patel has departed. A patriot. A revolutionary. A humanist. An indomitable soul. An intellectual. Rest in power Comrade," Ong'wen wrote on his X page.

Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan described Zarina as an extraordinary individual, a radical, a rebel, and a true revolutionary.

Zarina Patel, who sadly left us this morning, was an extraordinary individual—a radical, a rebel, and a true revolutionary. Her spirit was unshakeable, her resolve indomitable, as she tirelessly fought for equity, human dignity, and social justice throughout her life.

She was a… pic.twitter.com/04HHksqkSP

— Yusuf Hassan (@MPyusufhassan) April 25, 2024

A fearless pro-democracy and human rights activist Zarina Patel has rested. Fare thee well my friend. May your soul rest in eternal power. pic.twitter.com/UarYmXMw39

— Gitobu Imanyara (@GitobuImanyara) April 25, 2024

Deeply sad to hear Elder Zarina Patel transitioned last night after calmly battling illness.
Her life was intentionally chosen and powerfully lived. Zarina consistently cared, wrote and acted for all who silenced by the privilege of the few. May her family be comforted by our… pic.twitter.com/C0e9yush0O

— Irũngũ Houghton (@irunguhoughton) April 25, 2024

A formidable champion for social rights and a just society has joined the ancestors.

I sincerely hope that in her memory, we will continue her work including restoring Jevanjee Gardens.

Rest in peace comrade Zarina. pic.twitter.com/Atis0XW6Jv

— Dr. Roselyn Akombe (@DrRoselynAkombe) April 25, 2024

Jevanjee Gardens still stands today largely because of your efforts. The freedoms we enjoy are also in part due to your efforts and those of other progressives.
Rest in power comrade Zarina Patel. pic.twitter.com/xJpRixyvmt

— #Toshanisha (@Monajamwenyewe) April 25, 2024

Rest in Power....Indomitable, Unwavering and fearless, gentle and awesome humour. #ZarinaPatel https://t.co/IPrDWRDTgX

— Regina (@KenyanReg) April 25, 2024

The Asian Weekly is saddened to learn of the passing of Zarina Patel. A former contributor of TAW, Zarina was known for her activism and involvement in movements that fought against injustice. She was the granddaughter of Alibhai Mulla Jeevanjee, and single-handedly 'saved' + pic.twitter.com/7iQHhcQ1nK

— The Asian Weekly (@TheAsianWeekly) April 25, 2024

Kamaradi Zarina Patel:
You have walked our path
You have run our race
You fearlessly spake our speak
You have battled our struggle
It is with pride
That I painfully bid you
My revolutionary goodbyes
Trudge On Dada Zarina
The Indomitable One pic.twitter.com/Ai96B34zuV

— #NobodyCanStopReggae (@NdungiGithuku) April 25, 2024

Today we have lost a gallant warrior for the civil commons.

RIP Zarina Patel. 😭🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/WbMKGmsXiK

— Kiama Kaara (@KiamaKaara) April 25, 2024

In my mind, thinking of Comrade Zarina Patel, a true embodiment of a humanistic spirit, a liberator and principled defender of the truth. May Zahid and Raahat be comforted as Zarina rests in eternal peace pic.twitter.com/YHnPMGQSDc

— Steve Musau (@swetheo) April 25, 2024