Fatma Rajab: 26-Year-Old Journalist Who Recently Appealed For Help To Get Treatment Dies In Hospital

• Fatma Rajab recently asked Kenyans to help her raise KSh 1.8 million to undergo specialised treatment in India
• Fatma breathed her last on Saturday, January 6, at around 12:50pm, at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital
• The Mombasa-based journalist was born with a heart condition, and she underwent her first heart surgery while in Form Two at the age of 14

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Mombasa - A sombre mood has engulfed the Mombasa media fraternity following the sudden demise of Fatma Rajab, the 26-year-old journalist.

Family members confirmed that Fatma had breathed her last on Saturday, January 6, at around 12:50pm, after she was rushed to the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital Intensive Care Unit while vomiting blood.

What was Fatam Rajab ailing from?

Rajab was born with a heart condition, and she underwent her first heart surgery while in Form Two at the age of 14.

On December 26, 2023, Rajab started complaining of a stomachache, was rushed again to Coast General Hospital, and was referred to Karen Hospital in Nairobi for heart screening after Coast General Hospital failed to attend to her due to her previous records.

She was examined at Karen Hospital in Nairobi, and the results showed that she needed urgent heart surgery to replace her valve, which was compressed and too small to perform its functions well.

On Thursday, January 4, the young journalist was rushed again to a nearby dispensary in Kiembeni ward, Kisauni sub-county, Mombasa County, while vomiting blood before being transferred to Coast General Hospital, where she was booked into the ICU.

How much was Fatma Rajab's family seeking to take her to India?

As reported earlier, Rajab's family had appealed for help to take their daughter to India for the second time for a valve transplant.

The family, through various platforms, had asked Kenyans to help them raise KSh 1.8 million needed for her surgery.

Pastor Ezekiel Odero, who learned about the incident, offered KSh 100,000 to the family.

"I learned about her appeal just today morning. It's so unfortunate, but I will continue praying for her soul and family, May our good God comfort them, "said Pastor Ezekiel.