Kenya is mourning the loss of Maureen Nyadida-Lukoye, the beloved wife of renowned psychiatrist Prof. Lukoye W’Atwoli, who passed away on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, following a courageous battle with cancer. Prof. Atwoli, the son of COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, announced the heartbreaking news in a brief but devastating Facebook post.
“I will struggle to deal with this. So long, my dear. So long,” he wrote, in what became a final, aching farewell to his wife of 21 years. The post quickly drew hundreds of reactions and an outpouring of condolences from friends, colleagues, and members of the public who had followed the couple’s journey.
Maureen Nyadida-Lukoye was a respected public-sector professional who built much of her career at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). She joined the organisation as a Compliance Officer in 2007, where she focused on enforcing statutory contribution requirements and ensuring compliance with the NSSF Act. Over more than 14 years in compliance, she took on increasingly senior responsibilities, handling complex cases involving large employers and managing contribution arrears.
In April 2021, Maureen transitioned into the role of Strategy and Change Officer at NSSF, shifting from frontline compliance work to a strategy-focused position. Her responsibilities included designing and implementing organisational change initiatives, supporting strategic planning, and driving transformation projects across the fund.
Maureen was a highly educated professional with an impressive academic portfolio. She held a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategic Management from Moi University and a Master of Arts (MA) in Counselling Psychology from The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, which she pursued between 2018 and 2020. Her foundation was a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biological Sciences from Egerton University, where she studied from 1997 to 2002.
The couple had been open about Maureen’s cancer journey and the challenges they faced following her diagnosis. During an earlier interview, Maureen spoke about not feeling alone as she confronted the illness, acknowledging the unwavering support she received from her husband throughout the difficult period.
She was also actively involved in the Lukoye Atwoli Foundation, where she was listed as a member.
Maureen and Lukoye had been married for 21 years, having celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary in April 2022. The couple met at a wedding ceremony and went on to build a family together, blessed with two children.
Prof. Lukoye Atwoli is a professor of Psychiatry and the Dean of the Aga Khan University Medical College, East Africa. He also serves as Deputy Director of the university’s Brain & Mind Institute. In 2022, the Kenyan government awarded him the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) in recognition of his contribution to medicine and research.
As news of Maureen’s passing spread, Kenyans flooded the comments section with messages of condolence. Friends accompanied Prof. Atwoli to Lee Funeral Home as arrangements for the burial began.
The loss is particularly poignant for a man who has spent much of his career helping others navigate their most painful emotional moments and now finds himself walking through one of his own.
May Maureen Nyadida-Lukoye rest in eternal peace.
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