Maggie Wainaina -always there for us

I moved to Nairobi as Reuters General Manager for the business operation in sub-Saharan Africa in 2001, staying for almost five years.

Reuters Kenya business operations were still local at that time, with over 10 staff, in addition to the editorial bureau. Maggie welcomed me unreservedly, as she had done for so many other Reuters expatriates, and helped me settle in culturally and socially, as well as administratively.

I remember many happy things about her character, but perhaps more telling is what I don't remember; that is, the things she did not do.

She was never impolite or angry. She was never disputatious or argumentative, although she maintained her opinions firmly and could set out her reasons as trenchantly as anyone. She was never unkind. Though she smiled often, she never did so insincerely. Most of all, despite her extensive workload, she never showed impatience, or that she might be tired.

This strength of character meant not only that I could rely on her ability and charm to keep things working well during my frequent travels across the region, but that the whole Nairobi team saw her as a quiet but effective role model. She set limits for behaviour without ever having to say a word, and this meant that discipline was tight, and the office ran smoothly.

Maggie had a strong and sincere religious faith, reflected in her day-to-day behaviour. When an occasional tale of reckless actions was recounted in the office, her most typical comment was an indignant “Imagine!”, with a slight pursing of the lips.

Avril and I had our two children Eilidh and Iain during our time in Kenya, and Maggie was very pleased for us. She organised cards and gifts, brought a large group from the office to the hospital, and generally made a fuss. This meant a lot to us.

Maggie was a reserved and private person in many ways, but she was very proud of her son Michael. I was struck by how dignified she was, in spite of her loss, at her husband’s funeral, and at the level of respect she was accorded by her community.

She did not seek to join in all the office fun and outings, or to celebrate the triumphs of the editorial and business teams. But we all knew that she was there for us when we left in the evening, and when we got in the following morning.

She looked after us all, and we were most fortunate. ■