Popular Sultana actress Winnie Bwire is dead.

Winnie Bwire. [File, Standard]

Bwire, who was also a designer and baker, succumbed to cancer on September 5, 2024, while undergoing treatment in Turkey.

Her family shared a statement thanking all those who supported their kin in cash and kindness during her treatment.

“It is with heavy hearts and humble acceptance of God’s will that we announce Winfred Bwire Ndubi lost her battle with cancer on 5th September 2024, while undergoing treatment in Turkey.

“We thank you all for your overwhelming support, prayers, and generous giving during her treatment,” said the family.

Last month, the actress, through a video on social media, updated her followers on her health status, appealing to Kenyans of goodwill to stand with her.

In the video, she documented her battle with Metastatic breast cancer and the side effects of the drugs she was taking.

"For the past few months I have been going through a really hard time in and out of hospital and I have not had time to update you. I know I had promised to show you what a cancer patient goes through but on some days it gets so serious that we cannot film. I was discharged the other day and I am so happy about it…I am back to exercising. I got dengue fever but I am better and my appetite is back. I was doing very well until I developed a series of side effects from the drugs. There is a drug I was taking that has over 41 side effects…I consulted with my doctors and they advised me to stop taking it and seek treatment in Turkey. The first phase of treatment went really well but the second phase was an issue and finances are a challenge. If you can support me, you will save my life. I wanted this post to be filled with hope but where I am at, I am so frustrated with how expensive health care is and every time I feel like I have made ten steps forward, I feel like I am being dragged back. I have not made any posters, I just decided to do an appeal…I have reached my breaking point. This journey has been such a turbulent one and I am over it. I do not mean I will die but I am just done carrying this burden by myself. I need your help.”

The late Bwire who played ‘Dida’ on the Swahili telenovela Sultana had a career spanning over ten years in entertainment, having started at the Little Theatre Club.

Two years ago, she divulged to the public that she was battling breast cancer but remained upbeat that she would overcome the monster disease.