Former Cabinet minister Henry Obwocha has passed away aged 69.
Obwocha, who was also a former West Mugirango MP reportedly died after collapsing at his residence in Nairobi on Friday night.
Earlier in the day, Obwocha attended a relative’s funeral in Nyamira County but requested to be driven back to Nairobi saying he was unwell.
A relative said the former minister’s condition worsened after arriving at his home and was rushed to Nairobi Hospital where he was pronounced dead at around 11pm.
He represented West Mugirango constituency in Parliament between 1992-2007 and was the minister for Planning and National Development during President Mwai Kibaki’s administration. Until his demise, the politician was the chairperson of the Privatisation Commission.
“It is with deep sadness that I learn of the untimely death of Hon. Henry Obwocha this morning. The late was a distinguished long serving public servant, lawmaker and accountant whose service to the nation will be greatly missed,” said President Kenyatta in a tweet.
On his part, Opposition leader Raila Odinga described Obwocha as a dedicated public servant and man of integrity.
“My very sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to his family, the people of Mugirango whom he served with dedication as MP and the Abagusii community in general,” Raila noted.
