Zainab Chidzuga – the mother to former K24 TV news anchor, Mwanaisha Chidzuga, has died.
Zainab served as the Kwale Woman Representative between 2013 and 2017. She won the seat on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket.
The former legislator has been eulogized as a devoted and selfless leader by politicians led by Deputy President William Ruto.
"We have lost a selfless and visionary leader who served the people of Kwale with dedication. Mheshimiwa Zainab Chidzuga was progressive, steadfast and focussed. We will remember her as a champion of women empowerment," Ruto stated.
"My condolences to the family and friends of mama Zainab Chidzuga,former Kwale County Woman Representative. Poleni sana," ODM Secretary-General, Edwin Sifuna, stated.
Born in 1956 in Mutuga, Kwale County, Zainab studied at Mwija Primary School and Mutumo Girls High School, both in Uganda. Soon after she briefly taught as a primary school teacher before embarking on her political career.
Zainab was also a member of the Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation (MYWO) for more than two decades where she served as its chairperson.
She was also a director of the board of Coast Water Services Board and the Kwale Health Management Board.
During a previous interview with the People Daily, Mwanaisha described her mother as one who always sacrificed her happiness in order to put her family first.
“At first, she had to quit her dream career as a teacher in the early 90s to take care of her family," Mwanaisha stated.
The journalist pointed out that her mother sought to change the narrative that women should only be seen and not heard – this was proven in the 2013 General Election where she vied for the Kwale Woman Representative seat and won.
