Loice Anyango, Achieng’ Oneko's wife, dies at 79

Loice Anyango, during an interview with The Standard at their home in Kunya in Rarieda, Siaya county on June 1, 2018. She died this morning after losing battle to mild stroke. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

Loice Anyango, the wife of the late freedom fighter Achieng’ Oneko has died at their Rarieda rural home in Siaya county at the age of 79.

According to the family, Anyango died at their Kunya village home in Rarieda sub-county where she has been recuperating after she wasrecently discharged from the hospital.

Confirming the death, Oneko’s son, Dick Oneko said their mother was discharged from the hospital a week ago.

“She was discharged after doctors informed us that she well and we travelled back home. She even had a walk in the morning before she passed on,” said the young Oneko.

Oneko said their mother suffered from a mild stroke and they have been managing her condition.

“It is a big blow to the family but we take it as God’s plan. May her soul rest in eternal peace,” said Oneko.

The late Anyango has been eulogised as a loving, caring and God-fearing woman. She loved peace.

In a previous interview with The Standard, the late Anyango said she was only 11 when Achieng Oneko was first detained.

“I was living with Oneko’s first wife Jedidah Achieng, who was my aunt. She died in 1992,” said Anyango.

The late Oneko who also served as Rarieda MP married Anyango as his second wife when she was 28. They remained married for 40 years until Oneko’s death in 2007.

“Those days, it was easy for a woman to share her husband with her niece. That is why Mzee married me and I never regretted,” she said.