Ministry of Public Works PS Dies in South Africa

Ministry of Public Works Principal Secretary Maryam El-Maawy has passed on in South Africa while receiving treatment.

The PS was flown to South Africa for further treatment after suffering injuries in the hands of Somalia-based Al Shabaab Militia group who had kidnapped her in July in Lamu County.

Maawy had attended a security meeting in Lamu West before the terror group held her hostage.

It took the intervention of Kenya Defence Forces soldiers to rescue her from the Shabaab attack that led to the death of five others.

Officers drawn from the Kenya Defence Force (KDF), the General Service Unit, and the Administration Police rescued the PS about 45 minutes after she and five other top government officials were held hostage by the gunmen at Milihoi along the Lamu-Mpeketoni highway.

Four security officers, including Ms El-Maawy’s driver, were killed in the rescue operation following the abductions.

She was airlifted to Nairobi for treatment after receiving first aid at a health centre in Lamu West.

“Pole sana to the family and friends of Principal Secretary Maryam Al Maawy. She died while receiving treatment,” State House Digital Communications director Dennis Itumbi said in a tweet.