This archive report was first published on 19 September 2019.
Michelle Karume, the 26-year-old granddaughter of late billionaire Njenga Karume, has died of cancer in a US-based medical facility. Her death comes after she spent her last days begging for financial help to treat her cancer.
According to reports, Michelle had been struggling with cancer for at least three years, and her financial distress had been ongoing since 2016. She had claimed that she missed out on a clinical trial in 2016 due to lack of funds, which could have diagnosed and treated her cancer before it progressed further.
Michelle's emotional letters to her family and lawyers painted a picture of destitute last days. In one of her letters, she wrote, "I kindly would like to know the way forward because it is such a terribly long time since I was on treatment, it is going to a year now," highlighting her desperation for medical attention.
Her grandfather's vast wealth, estimated at Sh17.8 billion last year, did not help her when she needed it most. Michelle had accused her family of neglecting her after her grandfather's death, and her letters revealed a sense of abandonment and desperation.
Michelle's death has sparked a fierce inheritance battle for her grandfather's immense wealth, which is still raging on in court. The battle is set to continue, with Michelle's family members likely to contest the distribution of her grandfather's wealth.
Michelle's story is a tragic reminder of the struggles faced by many Kenyans who are unable to access medical care due to financial constraints. Her death is a loss not only to her family but also to the many who were inspired by her courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
