Mombasa journalist Fatma Rajab dies after heart condition battle

Mombasa is mourning the demise of one of its renowned local journalists.

Fatma Rajab Ali died on Saturday while in the Intensive Care Unit at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital.

She was a presenter and reporter with Mombasa-based Mo Radio.

According to her father, Ali Rajab, she was born with a heart condition that went undetected until she turned 14.

He said deformity in her heart valves has caused ongoing heart issues.

In 2014, Fatma had a valve replacement surgery in India, but complications arose as the new valve compressed over time.

The late Fatma Rajab Ali.

Her father stated that at 26, she again faced severe complications.

Specialised care

Despite her initial recovery under specialised cardiac care, recent events had put her health at risk.

Her aunt, Mwanathuma Abdalla, mentioned that a month after returning from India in 2014, Fatma had surgery to remove one of her ovaries due to abdominal pain.

On Wednesday, she experienced a resurgence of pain and vomiting blood before she was taken to the hospital.

She will be buried today in Mkomani, Mombasa.

Together with Mombasa journalists, the County Government stood with Fatma in solidarity in a move that saw Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nasir waiving all her hospital bills.

Nachukua fursa hii kutuma risala za Rambirambi kwa Familia na marafiki wa Mwanahabari Fatma Rajab aliyefariki mapema hii leo katika Hospitali kuu ya Rufaa ya Coast General alikokuwa akipokea matibabu.

Mwenyezi mungu awape subra wakati huu wa Majonzi na Msiba.

Innalillahi… pic.twitter.com/zIb5oCQAXW

— Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir (@A_S_Nassir) January 6, 2024

The Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA) Chairman Omar Abdalla said the deceased will be remembered for her charisma and diligence in executing her duties.

“Fatma will surely be missed by many in Mombasa,” he said.

“We extend our sincere condolences to her family and friends and the entire media fraternity in Mombasa and the region. We also wish to thank the media fraternity in Mombasa for coming together to highlight her plight as she appealed for assistance to raise funds for her much-needed heart surgery.”

A muslim cleric Sheikh Abou Qattada, expressed his condolences and offered prayers for strength to the family during this difficult time.

Fatma's body was taken to her family home in Kashani, Kisauni Sub County, where both family and media colleagues held a night vigil.

The deceased will be laid to rest at the Mkomaji cemetery in Nyali Sub-county, observing Islamic burial rituals.