Legendary radio presenter and Reggae queen Mary Njambi Koikai alias Fyah Mummah Jahmby has passed on.
The tragic news of her demise has devasted the media and entertainment fraternity in Kenya, with fans and leaders alike pouring in their tributes to the fallen celebrity.
Njambi Koikai succumbed at the Nairobi Hospital where she had been admitted to the Pioneer Ward. She was battling Endometriosis and was always vocal about the life-threatening ailment and its effects on women in the country.
Over the years, Fyah Mummah has been in and out of hospital owing to multiple organ conditions occasioned by Endometriosis. The disease had affected her heart, lungs, spine and appendix.
Background & Education
Endometriosis made life difficult for Njambi Koikai while growing up. it turned her into a rebellious youth with little to no interest in academics.
She was expelled from four schools and in the fifth, she found her mentor, Mrs Meynink who encouraged her to complete her studies.
Njambi Koikai attended the United States International University (USIU). She battled poor health and was on and off school. She finally attained a degree in international relations after 8 years at the institution.
Career
Fyah Mummah rose to fame hosting reggae shows in the pioneer urban radio Metro FM and Nation Media Group-owned QFM.
As part of the Earthzone Band, she also organized and performed in a couple of reggae concerts across the country. The versatile band performed conscious music – one time, they held a concert to raise money for her late grandmother who at the time had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
In 2016, QFM went broke and fired all its staff, Njambi Koikai included.
She made a comeback in February 2020 performing at the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC). She opened the show for Legendary Jamaican Reggae musician Buju Banton.
The reggae queen revealed she was performing with one and a half set of lungs, with the entire half of one of her lungs totally collapsed.
Endometriosis
Njambi Koikai has battled Endometriosis for decades and born unimaginable pain. Unrelenting, she openly talked about her condition while sensitising the community and government on better medical approaches to helping Kenyans suffering from the disease.
On May 31, Fyah Mummah took to social media to appeal for help from Kenyans, seeking blood donations while admitted to the Pioneer Ward at Nairobi Hospital.
“Hi fam, I am currently admitted at Pioneer Ward Nairobi Hospital and I kindly require blood O positive. Kindly asking for a blood donor for Mary Njambi Koikai,” she had shared.
The disease had affected her lungs, heart, spine, and appendix. Unfortunately for her, it took 17 years to be diagnosed with the life-threatening illness.
“The extent of the disease had spread to my teeth, heart, and appendix and affected my spine, causing my organs to shift to the left. The adverse effects of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis cause infertility,” she said.
“The damage caused due to late diagnosis and lack of treatment in our country it took me 17 years to get a diagnosis. After fundraising for specialized treatment.”
Njambi was in and out of hospital, experiencing some of her worst days during her menstrual periods.
“In my case, that lining grew on my lungs, causing my lungs to collapse every month and countless surgeries. We shed the lining of the uterus during our monthly periods; unfortunately, with Endometriosis, that lining grows on other parts of the body,” she had intimated.
On May 20, 2024, Njambi made a heartfelt appeal to President William Ruto before his state visit to the US. She asked the head of state to leverage the opportunity and seek partnerships that would help address the issues faced by women suffering from Endometriosis.
“This is a sincere and heartfelt call of help to a few Kenyan leaders but allow me to address this to President William Ruto first as he makes his state visit to the US. Mr. President, one of the thematic areas in your visit is investment in health,” she said.
“Atlanta, Georgia is a dream city for every young girl and woman who has ever battled this horrific disease called Endometriosis. Therein lies a centre dedicated to restoring the lives of young girls and women who are crippled by this disease.
“It would be a game-changer for the Kenyan delegation to visit the Center For Endometriosis Care in Atlanta, Georgia. Send our gynaecologists, pulmonologists, neurologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, and cardiologists for further training or fellowships,” Njambi pleaded.
