Tragedy meets a Family! Jastorina's mother died yesterday of heart attack

It was double tragedy for the family
of actress Nancy Nyambura aka
Jastorina when her mother died of
shock upon learning of her
daughter’s death. Nyambura, who
died of menegitis hours after being
crowned the Best Performing artiste
in a TV Comedy at the Kalasha
Awards, was followed by her mother
who had been admitted at the
Kijabe Mission Hospital.
“The ailing mother, who had been
admitted at the hospital, died of
shock on hearing the news of the
daughter’s demise,” said a close
family friend and Nyambura’s
colleague Irene Ayimba.
Nyambura, who is from a humble
background, was staying with her
uncle in Nairobi’s Dandora.
Details are now emerging that the
death of Jastorina may have been
avoided had she received timely
medical attention.
When she fell sick, she had to seek
medical attention at Kenyatta
National Hospital but had
difficulties raising funds for the
medication. “It was hard to get
family members but help came from
colleagues and the uncle who
enabled us to rush her to Kenyatta
National Hospital,” said Irene.
And when well-wishers took her to
hospital, it took another 24 hours
before she could be admitted
despite the fact that she was in
critical condition, Ms Ayimba said.
The narrative of Nyambura fits in the
jigsaw of many artistes who enjoy
national limelight and fame but lead
life in squalor with no social
security.
Many artistes have no regular
salaries let alone health or life
insurance.
Recently, the star of The Rise and
Fall of Idi Amin, Joseph Olita died a
pauper after suffering a fatal stroke
while burying his mother in Alego,
Siaya County. “We have thought
through the same and that’s why we
are currently working with the
National Health Insurance Fund to
have all our artistes covered,” said
musician and theatre producer
Alliwah David who is the Chief
Executive at Theatrix Arts Ensemble.
Nyambura was popular for her
starring role in the TV series
Jastorina and her role as a defender
of the rights of househelps touched
many. May be her own reality where
her rights as a productive artiste
were trampled on gave her the much
inspiration to act.
Nyambura is survived by two sons.