Kenya's oldest woman dies at age 119

Maria Shakwei Chepkemoi, who is believed to be the oldest woman in Kenya, has died at age 119, the East African Standard newspaper reported on Wednesday.

"The curtain finally fell on Mama Chepkemoi last Thursday nightas she slept," the report said.

Maria died five days after the death of Daniel Wanjau, who alsowas believed to have been the oldest Kenyan man. He was 115.

Like Wanjau, Maria lived across three centuries having been born in 1885 in Mutei location, Tambach division of Keiyo Districtin northwest Kenya, according to her close family members.

Maria had five children, 35 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. Her husband Chemuko died in 1940.

According to one of her grandchildren, Kiki Cherono, Maria willbe buried on Wednesday at her younger son's farm.

Maria, according to Kiki, has never fallen ill in her lifetime,adding that the old lady refused to take modern medicine and restricted herself to herbal medicine.

Her ability to recall things was perfect and although she had become blind, one needed only to mention the name and Maria would immediately recognize the person.

Source: Xinhua