By Reuben Olita, Busia
A clearing agent based in Malaba collapsed and died at her residence in Amagoro on Sunday and was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Kocholia Sub-County Hospital.
According to her father, Rafi Babu, Amina Mohammed Rafi had been battling diabetes and high blood pressure for several years. Speaking to the press at his Ikapolok home on Monday, Babu said his daughter experienced a sudden spike in blood pressure on Sunday, prompting her to call her uncles, Babu and Shabram, who rushed her to the hospital. Unfortunately, she was declared dead upon arrival.
Amina was laid to rest at the Malaba Muslim Cemetery in Ikapolok on Sunday afternoon. The burial ceremony, which took place under intermittent rainfall, was attended by hundreds of mourners, including members of the Muslim community, political leaders, and colleagues from the clearing and forwarding industry.
Until her death, Amina served as a finance officer at Maua Ventures, a clearing and forwarding firm based in Malaba. The firm’s director, Mr. Patrick Kobia, described her as a cooperative, hardworking, and principled employee who joined the company in 2004.
Mr. Deo Otia, former liaison officer of the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA), praised Amina’s humility and friendliness. “Through her hard work, Amina managed to acquire and develop a parcel of land in Amagoro, a clear sign of her determination and vision,” he said.
Otia also recalled fond memories of when Amina requested permission to cultivate his land in Amagoro. “I had left the land fallow, but Amina brought it to life. I will miss someone who cared for my property as if it were her own,” he added.
Former Malaba Central Ward MCA Benard Papa, who had known Amina since childhood, described her as both a schoolmate and tenant. He lauded her dedication to her work and community.
Moses Imai, a Malaba Central MCA aspirant in the 2027 elections, also paid tribute to Amina. “We were classmates at Kamurai and later hustled together before she ventured into the clearing industry,” he said.
Sheikh Abdalla, Imam of Malaba Mosque, used the occasion to urge the youth to prioritize their health and seek timely medical care. “Many young people delay visiting hospitals when unwell, not realizing how unpredictable life can be,” he warned.
Sheikh Mohammed Fundi gave a detailed account of Islamic burial rites, explaining that once a Muslim passes on, the body is washed by family members, clothed (women in white garments, men in three sheets), and then prayers are held before burial.
“Muslims bear no enmity towards Christians,” he emphasized. “It is only some Jews who have historically been hostile to both Muslims and Christians. In fact, 80 per cent of them don’t even believe in Christianity.”
