Jane Kiano, former chair of Maendeleo ya Wanawake, dies in Nairobi

Jane Kiano, a former chaiperson of the Maendeleo ya Wanawake organisation, has passed away in Nairobi.

According to a statement to newsrooms, Mrs. Kiano, 74, died at the Nairobi Hospital on Thursday night after a long battle with lung cancer.

“She died at 10:25pm…We have lost the matriach of our family…May her legacy continue to inspire young women and girls from all corners of this country…,” the statement from Irungu Houghton, the family representative, reads.

Jane Kiano was recently recognised as a trailblazer by President Uhuru Kenyatta and feted with the First Class Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear Award.

She was honoured among other outstanding women such as Ida Odinga, Phoebe Asiyo, Grace Onyango and Beth Mugo.

Mrs. Jane Kiano, who led a largely quiet life, had previously been awarded the Elder of the Burning Spear Award in 1979.

She is also remembered for her outstanding work as the Nairobi City Commission deputy chairperson, Alliance Francaise President and at the Council of the Emminent Persons of Murang’a.

Mrs. Kiano was also one of the founders of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).

She was widow of the late former Cabinet Minister Julius Gikonyo Kiano and is survived by two daughters: Joy and Wanja.