President Uhuru Kenyatta has eulogised the late former Kamukunji MP George Gregory Wilson Nthenge.
Mzee Nthenge, who wore many hats in his lifetime including that of a maverick independence-era politician, former Cabinet Minister and businessman, passed away on Tuesday night aged 94. The president eulogised the former legislator as an elder Statesman and an icon of Kenya’s independence struggle and who played a pivotal role in entrenching democracy.
“It is disheartening to learn of the passing away of Hon George Nthenge, one of our country’s few remaining independence-era politicians, freedom fighter and architect of our second liberation. Mzee Nthenge was a highly respected elder statesman, pro-democracy agitator and mentor whose journey through life epitomised the rich political history of the nation,” said Uhuru.
“It is because of the solid foundation laid by Hon George Nthenge and his generation of leaders, and their work over the decades, that Kenya stands tall in the community of nations,” he added.
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In Parliament, Nthenge was eulogised as an embodiment of perseverance following the death of his nine children in an accident. Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo said: “He was the last surviving Lancaster House politician after the passing of Mzee Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi and architect of the second liberation and man who loved his country, we have suffered a great loss.”
Nominated MP David ole Sankok called for naming of a road/street in his honour. “If there are people we need to honour and name roads and stadia after is people like him,” said Sankok.
Kitui Central MP Benson Makali urged the House and particularly young politicians to emulate Mzee Nthenge. “He was a frequent visitor to Parliament Buildings and he was an excellent role model to us young politicians. As he rests we have a lot of lessons to learn from him,” he said.
His Makueni counterpart Daniel Maanzo called for a monument in his honour. “The county governments in Machakos, Makueni or even Nairobi should name a university or road after him. Better yet the national government should put up a monument in his honour,” he said.
Besides his long political career, Mzee Nthenge was an accomplished businessman and one of Kenya’s foremost curio exporters who founded a handicraft factory in Machakos town in 1953. Ugunja MP Opiyo wandayi said: “We will never forget the great sacrifices Nthenge made in favour of our country. We have lost a gallant son and nationalist whose achievements will forever be captured in Kenya’s history.”
After independence, Mzee Nthenge was among the first electoral commissioners nominated to represent Eastern Province. He returned – after serving in the Legislative Council - to Parliament in 1969 as MP for Iveti South until 1974 when he left to concentrate on his business.
