Popular 'Sultana' Actress Winnie Bwire Ndubi succumbs to cancer

Nairobi, 

Thursday, 5 September, 2024

McCreadie Andias 

Popular Kenyan actress Winnie Ndubi Bwire has succumbed to a long battle with breast cancer, a family statement confirmed on Thursday morning. 

Ndubi passed on while receiving treatment at a hospital in Turkey. 

"It is with a heavy heart and humble acceptance of God's will that we announce Winfred Bwire Ndubi lost her battle to cancer on 5th September 2024 while undergoing treatment in Turkey," the family said in a statement.

The family went on to thank well wishers, fans and supporters who stood with her during the battle .

"We thank you all for your overwhelming support, prayers and generous giving during her treatment. We will share more details in the due course. God bless you." The statement added. 

Ndubi featured in popular Citizen TV swahili show 'Sultana', which aired every weekday between 7:30PM to 8:15PM. The show ended months ago. 

Her death comes barely a month after she appealed for financial assistance to continue with her cancer treatment.

Ndubi was seeking Sh5 million to cover the costs of her treatment, including accommodation and meals during her stay in Turkey.

In her last video appealing for help, which was shared on her social media pages on August 14, the actress explained that she was doing well with her medication until she began experiencing side effects.

"You wouldn't believe it—it has over 41 side effects, and you never know which one will hit. You experience some of them at different times, and it keeps changing," she narrated.

"If you can support me, I have nothing to give in return, but you will save my life. I didn't want this video to be emotional; I wanted it to be filled with hope," she said in the video.

"Right now, I'm so frustrated by how expensive healthcare is. Every time I feel like I've made ten steps forward, it's like I'm being dragged back eight steps. Thank you so much for praying for me." 

Speaking on Citizen TV in March, Bwire recounted her diagnosis: “I was first told by a doctor that there were no cancerous cells. But the pain continued, so I went to a gynaecologist who then detected the cancer through a biopsy.”

“I thought I was going to be fired. I did not think I could continue filming and still receive medication due to the misconception that chemotherapy is traumatic,” Bwire shared.

Despite these fears, she credited her role in the show as a source of strength and hope.

The family is expected to reveal programmes to airlift her body back to the country for burial preparations.