The Kenyan film industry is in mourning following the death of beloved ‘Sultana’ actress Winnie Bwire Ndubi, who passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer.
The actress, who rose to fame as ‘Dida’ in the popular Citizen TV drama series, passed away on Thursday, September 5, while undergoing treatment in Turkey.
Bwire was destined for the screen, as she revealed in a past interview that her acting journey began early in life. At just six years old, her passion for the arts was already shining through.
Recognizing her talent, her parents offered unwavering support and provided the resources needed to nurture her abilities.
They encouraged her to participate in plays and poetry from a young age, even enrolling her in holiday programs to help further develop her skills.
As she continued to refine her acting skills over the years, her big break came in 2014 when she made her screen debut in the series ‘Penzi,’ which aired on Raia TV.
She went on to feature in other productions, including ‘Kisasa’ and ‘Tehanini,’ which aired on Maisha Magic East.
She further expanded her acting talent by joining the ‘Kalimani Dynasty’ on KTN, before securing her most cherished role as Dida in the popular Swahili drama series ‘Sultana’ on Citizen TV.
Her portrayal of Dida earned widespread praise, as she masterfully played a character deeply in love with Jabali Junior, also known as JJ. This created a complex love triangle, as JJ was in love with the show’s protagonist, Sultana.
In real life, Bwire was in a romantic relationship with Dan Sonko, but the two parted ways in 2023.
The actress was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in 2022. This advanced and aggressive form of cancer initially appears in the breast but then spreads to other areas of the body.
In a past interview, she revealed that she laughed when the doctors delivered the positive cancer diagnosis.
“I knew when it was too late. I noticed the things we are taught to look out for are not always there. I did not have those signs,” she stated.
As the disease progressed, Bwire began making appeals to cover her medical expenses.
In December 2023, Bwire Ndubi appealed to the public for Kshs 7 million to fund critical medical treatment abroad, and she successfully raised the amount.
Two weeks ago, she made her final appeal, asking Kenyans to assist her in raising Ksh 5 million for medical treatment in Turkey. She successfully traveled there and was hopeful about her recovery but unfortunately passed away while undergoing treatment.
In addition to acting, Bwire was talented in scriptwriting, songwriting, singing, painting, and interior design. She was also a skilled baker and entrepreneur.
The late Bwire held a degree in Industrial Fine Arts and Design from Makerere University.
