Prof Lukoye Atwoli, the son of Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, is mourning the death of his wife, Maureen Nyadida-Lukoye.

Lukoye announced Maureen’s death on Tuesday in a brief but emotional message, paying tribute to his wife and reflecting on the difficulty of coming to terms with her passing.

“I will struggle to deal with this. So long, my dear. So long,” Lukoye wrote.

A family member who spoke to The Star also confirmed Maureen’s death, saying she had been battling cancer for approximately four years.

Maureen spoke publicly about cancer battle

Maureen had previously spoken about her experience living with cancer and the support she received from her husband during the difficult period.

The couple largely kept their family life away from the public spotlight but occasionally shared moments from their lives, including family celebrations and wedding anniversaries.

Her death has since prompted an outpouring of messages of condolence from friends, colleagues and members of the public.

Many have remembered the couple’s long marriage and the family moments they occasionally shared publicly.

Lukoye Atwoli’s career

Lukoye is the firstborn son of veteran trade unionist Francis Atwoli and has established a career of his own in medicine and academia.

The death of Maureen marks a difficult moment for the family, with messages of support continuing to reach Lukoye and his relatives as they mourn her passing.