‘Karl Marx’ is dead

KISUMU; KENYA: Former fiery university student leader Karl Marx has passed on at his parents’ home in Korando ‘B’ Village, Kisumu County.

Karl Max, 36, as he was popularly known, collapsed and died in his house.  His sister Rose Agutu said Karl Marx, whose real name is Christopher Owiro, was not unwell.

“He was joyful on the day he died and his death has shocked us,” said Ms Agutu.

Owiro was suspended in 2000 by the University of Nairobi (UoN), where he was undertaking a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Chemistry. He was sent home while in his final year by the university’s Senate.

He was alleged to have incited UoN students to go on strike. His combativeness made him to adapt the name of the 19^th century German philosopher Karl Marx, while in second year.

He was elected Secretary General of Student Organisation of Nairobi University (Sonu) in his fourth year. He was suspended less than a month later.

Collins Onyango, a cousin to Owiro, said the deceased was keen on human rights issues, even away from university.

“If you wronged someone he would immediately tell you. He was an extrovert who wanted a justice world,” said Onyango, cousin of Owiro who died on Tuesday night.

He continued his studies in 2003, after the Narc Government allowed suspended university students to resume their studies.

A cousin of the deceased, Christopher Hongo said while in his third year, he reportedly came up with a mathematics formula that showed that the merger between Kanu and National Democratic Party (NDP) would not last. The two parties merged in 1998, making Raila Odinga join retired President’s Moi Government.

Owiro went to Kisumu Day for his secondary school. He worked for a number of organisations in the lakeside town.

His body was taken to Port Florence Hospital Mortuary, and he will be laid to rest on January 12.