Sarah Obama, step-grandmother of the former US President Barack Obama has died at a hospital in Kenya at the age of 99.
Her daughter Marsat, told the local Daily Nation newspaper that the matriarch died early on Monday at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital in the western town of Kisumu.
Her family is making arrangements to have her buried on Monday at a cemetery in the town, according to reports.
She was fondly referred to as Granny Sarah by the former president.
Mrs Obama defended her grandson during the US elections when he was said to be Muslim and not born in the US.
She was the third and youngest wife of the former president’s grandfather.
Meanwhile, tributes are pouring in for the matriarch of the Obama family.
Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta eulogised her as a virtuous woman “and an icon of family values”.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga hailed the late Mrs Obama for her leadership after her husband’s death.
“She utilised her grandson’s rise to promote the education of girls and fight social ills through her foundation,” Mr Odinga said.
President Obama’s half-sister, Auma Obama has tweeted that her “heart is broken” but added that she was “blessed to have her for so long”.
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o said the late Mrs Obama was “charming and warm” to everyone who visited her Kogelo village home.
The governor said Mrs Obama succumbed after a short undisclosed illness
