Njambi Koikai's father dies hours after apologising to late daughter

Njambi Koikai’s father has died. (Courtesy)

Daniel Koikai, father of the late media personality Mary Njambi Koikai, has reportedly passed away just hours after issuing a heartfelt apology to his deceased daughter.

According to sources, Mr. Koikai died on June 14, 2024, although the cause of his death has not yet been disclosed.

It is alleged that Mr. Koikai passed away while Njambi Koikai's burial ceremony was ongoing at Lang'ata Cemetery.

On Thursday, during Njambi’s requiem service at Nairobi Chapel, Mr. Koikai expressed deep remorse for not being fully present in her life.

Reflecting on their relationship, he recounted both the good and bad times they shared.

“When times were good, we would go shopping and have lunches at some of the restaurants in town,” he said. “I really miss the good times we shared together. When times were bad, we would go for days and months without talking, for which I will blame myself and will always do so as I’ve lost the opportunity to mend fences with you.”

Mr. Koikai also shared the last message Njambi sent him on June 2, 2024, in which she asked for juice.

The message read: “Hi Dad, I hope you got home safely. So I would need red berry orange water from Del Monte and fresh orange and passion fruit juice. The doctors are here, so I’ll have to go and we’ll talk tomorrow. It was good to see you and reconnect.”

Tragically, they did not see each other again after this message.

He admitted to leaving the responsibility of raising Njambi to her mother and regretted not being more present, especially during her battle with endometriosis.

Mr. Koikai revealed that they had not seen each other for almost eight years while she was in primary school, as he had been posted abroad.

Upon their reconnection, they had long conversations about her education, and he pledged to support her by paying her school fees.

Mr. Koikai expressed his profound regret for not being there for Njambi when she needed him the most.

“I regret immensely. It is too late to regret. I can only live with the reality that I failed when you needed me most and I am not proud of my conduct. At the hospital by your bedside with your mum on the night you left us, you told me we are the same blood and that you were happy I had come. We reconnected and I hope we shall reconnect again someday,” he said.

Njambi Koikai, an endometriosis warrior, passed away on Tuesday, June 4, after a long battle with the condition. She died while receiving treatment in the ICU at Nairobi Hospital.