Marian Mwaka Salome Deche was born on June 3rd 1985 at the Aga Khan Hospital Nairobi to Mr Japheth Mwachiro and Mrs Ruth Mwachiro. She was the second-born child named after her grandmother Mama Salome Mwaka Mwachiro. She was sister to Dr. Michael Mwachiro and Dr. Elizabeth Mwachiro, Mercy Mugii Wanjohi and Dr. James Wanjohi and Shabaya Deche.
She was niece to Janet Mwamuye, Esther Mwachiro, Mary Mwachiro, the late Emmanuel Haro, Julius Nzivo, Matthew Chilango, Charles Chipa, and Peter Sanga from the paternal side. Her uncles and aunts from the maternal side include John Lisamula, the late Japheth Bulemi, Agnes Masengo, Shem Lugalia, Patrick Shabaya, Josiah Lusui, and Solomon Visaho. Her grandparents were the late Mzee John Mwachiro, the late Salome Mwaka Mwachiro (paternal), the late Charles Shabaya and the late Atsinafa Muhadia (maternal). Marian had many cousins who loved her dearly.
She was daughter-in-law to Juddy Nyambura Kimani (late) and Allan and Ven. Canon Prof Wangari Mwai. Granddaughter-in-law to Josiah Kimani Wangome (late) and Emily Wairimu Kimani (late). Her matrimonial uncles and aunties include: Shem and Florence Gichimu; William and Margaret Wangome; and Reuben and Leah Mwathi.
Education
She started her schooling at Shanzu Teachers’ College nursery school and Happy Kids Nursery School then proceeded to join Olympic Primary School in Nairobi between 1991 and 1999. Marian was a fun loving, bubbly child and made many friends even at an early age. She was also very gifted academically and received many prizes which resulted to one of the family traditions of receiving the yearly gift vouchers at the school where she was enrolled. She was an avid reader of not just schoolbooks but also novels and anything in general that could be read. At the end of her primary school years, she passed her KCPE exams very well and emerged top of her class - a feat that earned her a spot in the Daily Nation newspaper. Marian was organized, clean and neat, earning herself the nickname “Mama Safi” in her family.
She joined Loreto Limuru Girls High School in 2000, where her sister, Mercy Mugii, joined her three years later. She enjoyed her time there and soon her leadership abilities showed. She was involved in many clubs and activities and rose to become scouts’ leader and a prefect. Marian was a talented singer and would sing in church and the Christian Union.
Upon completing high school in 2003, Marian enrolled in Strathmore University where she graduated with a diploma in Business and Information Technology in 2005. As she waited for admission to university she, together with her father, set up a company where she did landscaping services. Later in 2005 she joined Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) to study Ornament and Environmental science graduating with a bachelors degree in 2009. She also undertook many professional courses in fields such as environmental auditing, leadership, and interior design. She was an ongoing postgraduate student at Kenyatta University.
Professional Life
After graduating from JKUAT, Marian joined Syngenta East Africa as a management trainee in 2010 and rose through the ranks over time to become the East Africa Regional Phytosanitary Lead. In 2015 she resigned to pursue entrepreneurship offering wedding and event planning, decor and interior design services.
Faith and Service
Marian loved God and gave her life to Jesus at an early age having grown up in a Christian home under staunch Methodist parents. She served actively in the JKUAT Praise and Worship team, Africa Let’s Worship (AFLEWO), and Family Care and Enrichment (FaCE) ministry at CITAM Thika Road. She had a great passion for mentoring young ladies and young married couples among whom she served alongside her husband.
Marriage and Motherhood
Marian got married to Alex Kimani in 2015. They were blessed with a son, Thayu Kimani in 2021.
Illness
Marian fell ill in November 2021 and after investigative work was completed she was diagnosed with a retroperitoneal sarcoma, a cancer in her abdomen. She then had surgery done at Tenwek Hospital and was prepared for the next phase of treatment with chemotherapy. Unfortunately her condition continued to deteriorate, and she was admitted at the Aga Khan University Hospital HDU. Marian rested on the 21st January 2022.
She is sorely missed by her family and friends.
May her soul rest in eternal peace.