Popular actress Linda Opany dies in Kisumu

Cast members Linda Opany (left) and Lwanda perform during the premier of Kwe Kaliet -Lwanda Magere Revisited play on peaceful elections at the Aga Khan Hall in Kisumu Saturday evening. The play is produced by Pamoja Trust in conjunction with Alberta University Canada and the County Government of Kisumu. (George Orido/Standard)

Curtains have come down on the life of actress Linda Opany who died from post-delivery complications in Kisumu last week.

Linda was last seen on stage at the Alliance Française acting as the first wife of Lwanda in the tragic musical of Kwe Kalyet - Lwanda Magere Revisited in a version directed by Prof Jan Selman, George Chunga and Desai Ogada.

What many did not realise was that Linda was actually expectant in a third trimester even as she gallantly portrayed the role.

It is a vindication of how consummate Linda was and how she committed to the stage and to her ever adoring audience.

Born on October 8, 1982 to the late David Opany and mama Phoebe Awuor in Siaya, Linda joined the theatre arts early and performed with half a dozen theatre outfits including Story Makers Society, Ignite Afrika, Zidi Africa, Laser Arts as well as Ziwa Afrika.

Linda will be remembered for her sterling role as Mama Animals in 2013 production.

According to family members, Linda was blessed by a bundle of joy on the 1st March 2018 through a caesarean section at the Jaramogi Referral Hospital, Kisumu.

She developed complications and was rushed to Hospital for routine medical checkups and was diagnosed with obstructive jaundice and secondary abdominal complications.

“We have lost a gallant thespian and I am yet to come to terms with the fact that she is no more,” said Chunga who has worked with the late artiste over a decade.

According to Desai Ogada, Linda was to be in the next tour of the play Lwanda Magere and it will be very difficult to fill her role.

“Everything was looking up and this project was arguably her peak,” mourned Ogada one of the directors of the play.

Linda went to Siaya Township Primary School and Sinaga Girls High School before venturing full time into stage performance.

She acted in Dholuo comedy films including Jasem, Jalach and Angels of Nyalenda.

The powerful actress was also the brains behind Story Makers Society juniors and the kids Arts gallery formations.

She sometime worked with Osienala doing radio plays and TV productions with the late Hezron Ragen aka Professor.

She acted in the local film "Dalana Yaye" and "Jasem II" directed by Robert Ochieng and the late Hezron Ragen, and in the 'Ripple Effect' a film directed by Edwin Othira Aomo.

Linda was an ever present figure in many community interactive theatre outreaches sponsored by government and NGO’s.

Linda is survived by baby Jan Selman and is the mother of the late Rebecca Awuor.

She will be laid to rest at her home in Nyagondo, Gem in Siaya County.