Lamu: 120-year-old granny dies, leaves behind 250 great-grandchildren

A 120-year-old woman has died at Umoja village in Mpeketoni area, Lamu County, leaving behind a large generation.

Leah Wangui Gitau is said to have died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday night, according to her 65- year-old last born daughter Esther Nyagichuhi Kurua.

"Recently we observed she was too sleepy and her appetite had reduced. She was a strong woman. We than God for all the years He enabled us to stay and enjoy life with our mother," Kurua told the Daily Nation.

She added that her mother’s secret for long life was proper diet that gave her good health.

"Our mother maintained a traditional diet during her lifetime. I believe that is key to her long lifespan. We used to feed her traditional foods like sweet potatoes and vegetables and also ensured she ate meat and vegetable soup," she said.

Wangui, born in January 1, 1902; she was a mother of 16 children - 14 daughters and 2 sons - 9 of whom have died.

Her first born, Isaac Ngugi, is 90-years-old and the last born is, Kurua, who was her caregiver.

She has left behind 7 children, 63 grandchildren, 250 great grandchildren, 184 great-great grandchildren and 45 great-great-great grandchildren.

Her body was taken to Mpeketoni sub-county hospital mortuary.