Safiri Salama! Life And Times Of Janet Kanini Ikua

Piece by: Caren Nyota
Lifestyle

".... for dust you are and to dust you shall return," says the Bible in Genesis 3:19.

Who is going to fill Janet Kanini's shoe? She was a one of a kind, the ever-smiling woman was an inspiration to many. We will for sure miss her. As we continue to mourn the death of the late Janet Kanini Ikua, a cancer survivor, I would like to share a little more information about her.

Here are the things we should know and celebrate about Janet

  1. Work

Janet Kanini shot to the limelight when she first appeared on NTV. She was the host of the famous N-Soko Property show which is currently hosted by Mel Myendo. The late Kanini was hardworking and passionate. Unlike some of the TV girls who always appear stressed or even uninterested when on air, Janet was always smiling, a way to make her audience love the show.

She also worked at KUTT and Larry Asego has talked about it.

https://twitter.com/LarryAsego/status/848110151471124481

2. Family

Janet Kanini was married to the one and only George Ikua and they were blessed with two children namely Peter and Jasmine.She was a loving and caring wife and mother.

3. Friends

Janet Kanini Ikua was an adorable lady. She made friends both at work and outside. Remember the #IStandWithJanetKanini concert? Many celebrities and local Kenyans turned up to support her raise money to cater for her medical bill in India and it worked.

4. Sickness

Kanini broke the sad news about her disease in October 2015 that left many heartbroken. Kanini left for India for treatment and she came back and continued attending chemo sessions at Kenyatta National hospital and after several visits, she was pronounced cancer free. This was good news for Kanini and her fans and she started working with various cancer organisations in the country where she gave talks to cancer patients and survivor.

“4 WEEKS AGO I CAME TO INDIA SEEKING A MEDICAL ANSWER – WELL I FOUND IT, AND IT WAS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED. AT ALL. SO HERE’S WHAT THE LATEST MEDICAL REPORTS SAY.

LUNG CANCER. STAGE 4, MEANING IT HAS SPREAD FROM THE PRIMARY LUNG SITE INTO LYMPH NODES.

CLEARLY, MY BODY IS STAYING TRUE TO MY LOVE FOR DRAMA AND THEATRICS BECAUSE A BLOOD CLOT HAS ALSO DECIDED TO HANG OUT IN THE HEART MUSCLE. DOCTORS HAVE CALLED IT ‘ORGANIZED’ – YAANI IT’S FIXED IN THE MUSCLE WITH LITTLE CHANCE OF MOVING SO I’M SAFE FROM THAT. WE CAN FOCUS ON TREATING THE CANCER. IT HAS TAKEN ME WEEKS TO DECIDE TO PUBLICLY ADMIT THAT THIS IS THE DIAGNOSIS. ONE REASON IS THAT IT IS NOT ADVISED TO GIVE VOICE TO SICKNESS. WHAT YOU DECLARE IS WHAT IS. HOWEVER I REALIZE THAT DISCUSSING THIS CONDITION OVER THE PAST 3 AND HALF MONTHS HAS HELPED PEOPLE – THOSE WITH SIMILAR SYMPTOMS, THOSE WITH OTHER AILMENTS AND THOSE WHO ARE AFFECTED BY CARING FOR THE SICK. I KNOW THAT SICKNESS IS NOT MY PORTION, AND IF BY SHARING MY EXPERIENCE I CAN HELP TO EDUCATE AND COMFORT OTHERS, THEN SO BE IT..,” READ AN EXTRACT FROM JANET’S POST THAT SHOCKED HER FANS."

5. Death

Janet Kanini breathed her last on 1st April this year. Many thought it was an April Fools Day prank but it wasn't. Her former employer broke the sad new via Twitter. The late Janet will be laid to rest this weekend at her husband's home in Nanyuki.

Gone Too Soon! Janet Kanini Ikua Is DEAD