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Fashion icon Orie Rogo Manduli died on September 9, 2021.

Kenya

Orie Rogo Manduli is dead

NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 9 – CONTROVERSIAL politician Orie Rogo Manduli has died aged 73.

Her family said she passed on at her Riverside home in Nairobi after a long illness. No more details were immediately provided.

Manduli was vocal in the political and entertainment scene until 2017 when she took a back seat, only showing up on television interviews, the last being on JKL with Jeff Koinange.

She was famous with her headgear and her bold approach to issues.

Besides politics and entertainment, Manduli is remembered as the first female rally driver under the East African Safari rally in 1974 and 1975.

She was Mary Orie Rogo before she got married and acquired the name Mary Orie Rogo Ondieki but divorced later after the couple was blessed with three children.

She again got married to a Zambian, Norman Manduli in 1980 and acquired the name Manduli which she used until her death.

Manduli served in various government appointments, including boards on governance and women issues.

Most notable ones include at the National Council of Non-Governmental Organisations, International Council of Women’s Council representative to the United Nations Environment Programme and Habitat among others.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta mourned the veteran politician and fashion icon as a woman of many firsts and trailblazer who fought tirelessly for women empowerment.

“It is sad and unfortunate that death has taken away Mama Orie Rogo Manduli, one of our country’s most recognizable, highly charismatic and accomplished politicians. A bold leader and mentor, Manduli tirelessly championed for women empowerment,” the President mourned.

In the message of condolence to the family, friends and relatives of Manduli, the President said the late was a fearless, bold and practical leader who always spoke her mind.

He recalled the late Manduli’s exploits as a sports woman and model saying Kenyans will forever cherish her achievement as the first African woman Safari Rally driver, a feat she achieved when she took part in the 1974 edition alongside her late co-driver Sylvia Omino.

“The late Orie Rogo Manduli was a woman of many firsts who never shied away from exploring new horizons. She took up and excelled in motorsports at a time when many African women would never have dared thereby opening up the sport to women drivers in later years.

“At the tender age of 16 years, while still in secondary school, Manduli won Miss Kenya beauty pageant. She was simply a phenomenal and standout woman trailblazer,” the President said.

On her signature attire and head gear, the Head of State said the departed Manduli fully embraced the African culture and was a recognized fashion icon and trendsetter.

“Mama Orie Rogo Manduli was a fashion icon whose trademark African print attire and prominent head gear made her one of Africa’s most recognizable personalities,” the President recalled.

The Head of State wished Ms Orie Rogo Manduli’s family God’s grace, fortitude and comfort as they come to terms with her sudden death.

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