Go well, Margaretta wa Gacheru, your work is done, you did it in epic style

Renowned scribe and arts critic, Margaretta wa Gacheru, has departed from our midst. Maggie, as she was known to her peers at the Nation, was always on the move. It was as though her feet never really touched the ground!

As a budding critic, I and other younger writers walked in the path that she had cut, even as some of us diverged to pursue other endeavours in the broad realm of the arts.

Now, critics in the newsroom are interesting creatures. There is the unspoken rule that certain beats are handled by certain critics, even though there is no resentment when that rule is breached. One just had to be on the lookout to ensure no event had been overlooked.

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That was the spirit of cooperation that defined our relationship with Maggie in those early days of our life as critics. And it matured into mutual support and admiration when our paths diverged, while still meeting in arts gatherings.

In recent years, as newspapers hollowed out, Maggie was the last woman standing, ensuring deserving art exhibitions and theatre performances received coverage. Her last piece was published early this month, an enduring tribute to her commitment.

Not even her failing health could put her down. In her last years, Maggie carried an oxygen tent with her, determined to keep going. It is hard to imagine the arts scene without the omnipresence of Margaretta wa Gacheru. She will be sorely missed.