The remains of Maureen Achieng’ Nyadida-Lukoye, the wife of Aga Khan University Medical College, East Africa Dean Prof Atwoli Lukoye, will be cremated on Thursday, September 17.
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF), where Maureen worked for years, said in an announcement on September 11 that a church service will take place at All Saints’ Cathedral in Nairobi before her cremation.
“It is with deep sadness, yet with humble acceptance of God’s will, that we announce the passing of Maureen Achieng’ Nyadida-Lukoye. A church service will be held at All Saints Cathedral on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 12:00 noon, followed by the cremation of her remains later that day,” read part of the announcement.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, September 19, at her home in Mulwanda Sub-location in Khwisero Constituency, Kakamega County.
Maureen was the daughter-in-law of COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli and the mother of four sons: Alubala, Anyanje, Yimbo, and Junior.
How Did Prof. Atwoli’s Wife Pass Away?
Maureen passed away after a courageous four-year battle with cancer.
Prof. Lukoye Atwoli will honor the final wish of his late wife, Maureen Achieng’ Nyadida-Lukoye, who requested in her will to be cremated, according to a revelation by COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli.
Speaking after her death in Embu, Atwoli said his son informed him that Maureen had left instructions to be cremated after her death.
“My son tells me, ‘Dad, you know my wife had written a will that she wants to be cremated,’” Atwoli said.
The COTU boss said he was surprised by the decision, noting that no one in their family lineage had been cremated.
He said that although the family would respect Maureen’s wishes, the decision was difficult for him to come to terms with.
Also Read: Who is Maureen Lukoye? Career and Life of Prof Atwoli’s Late Wife
Atwoli recalled witnessing a cremation in Kisumu, saying he could not bear to remain after seeing the preparations underway.
Maureen joined the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) in 2007 as a Compliance Officer, where she enforced statutory contribution requirements, engaged employers, and ensured compliance with the NSSF Act.
She held the role after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from Egerton University and later pursued postgraduate qualifications in counselling psychology and strategic management.
Also Read: Atwoli’s Son Makes History as First African to be President of World Health Summit
Prominent People Who Have Been Cremated
Apart from Maureen, several other prominent Kenyans have also chosen cremation after their deaths.
These include renowned novelist and scholar Prof Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, who was cremated in 2025, and High Court Judge Justice David Majanja, who was cremated in 2024.
Veteran rally driver Asad Khan was cremated in 2023, while former Attorney-General Charles Njonjo was cremated in 2022.
Other prominent Kenyans cremated include former Cabinet minister Kenneth Matiba in 2020; former Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore and former Kibra MP Ken Okoth in 2019; and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Prof Wangari Maathai in 2011.
Former Agriculture Minister Bruce Mackenzie was cremated in 1978, making him one of the earliest prominent Kenyan figures known to have chosen cremation.
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