Reverend Kathy Kiuna marked what would have been her late husband Allan Kiuna’s 59th birthday with a tender and deeply personal message, reflecting on their life together and the faith that continues to carry her.

Posting on Instagram on Wednesday, she noted that the day held double meaning: it would also have been their 31st wedding anniversary. “Today would have been his 59th birthday and my 31st wedding anniversary. God has been good, and He does all things well,” she wrote.

Her message mixed grief with gratitude. Remembering Allan’s character and the strength he displayed through years of illness, she wrote, “Even when it hurts so bad, my answer to God is Yes.” She added: “His mercy prevails over everything. Always in my heart, my love. You did well. You loved deeply and you showed us God.”

Kathy’s tribute offered a quiet moment of reflection on the life they shared, the ministry they built, and the years they spent working side by side.

A Long Battle With Illness

Allan Kiuna, a prominent Kenyan pastor, died on 9 July 2024 at the age of 57. He had been undergoing treatment at a Nairobi hospital after a long fight with myeloma, a type of blood cancer. The disease, which he was first diagnosed with in 2018, is treatable but remains incurable.

His treatment journey took him between Kenya and the United States. Kathy spoke openly in earlier years about the toll the illness had taken on him. In a 2019 Instagram post, she described how chemotherapy caused hair loss, weight changes and intense physical pain. At times, she said, he struggled to stand or walk and often resorted to tiptoeing because of the discomfort in his legs.

As she marked his posthumous birthday this week, she honoured not only the years he lived but the courage he showed throughout his struggle.

For many Kenyans who followed Allan’s ministry and his public battle with illness, Kathy’s message served as both a remembrance and a reminder of the couple’s enduring influence.