By JUMA KWAYERA AND OSINDE OBARE
KENYA: Former Lurambi North MP Jonathan Welangai Masinde has died. He passed on at an Eldoret Hospital where he had been admitted this week. The cause of his death was not immediately established.
Masinde, renowned for his oratory, first went to Parliament in 1963 on a Kadu ticket, which also had in its ranks former President Daniel arap Moi, former Kiatle (before it was later split into Cherangany, Saboti and Kwanza) MP Masinde Muliro, former Butere MP Martin Shikuku and former Lurambi South MP Brown Tsuma. Speaking to The Standard on Saturday, the fallen legislator’s son Mr Charles Welangai said his father had been ailing for a long time.
“He was taken to hospital on Wednesday for treatment, but he lost the battle for life in the early hours of today (yesterday),” he said.
Welengai was re-elected in 1969 on Kanu ticket. He was among MPs who crossed to Kanu after the dissolution of Kadu in 1964 after which Kenya became a one-party state.
In the subsequent poll, Welangai lost to former Kanu secretary-general Burudi Nabwera in 1974.
Reached for comment, Mr Nabwera recalled his long political rival as a leader who lost elections graciously. “We competed against each other many times but remained close friends. We are even related by marriage because my brother is married to his sisters,” he said. He described Welengai as a great leader who had passion for service to the electorate.
The Council of Luhyia Elders, in which Nabwera and Ford Kenya nominated MP Patrick Wangamati are senior members, met in Kakamega town to discuss funeral plans for the former MP, who is expected to be buried at his rural home at Luandeti, Lugari District. Nabwera said the elders would meet the family to harmonise their plans before a full programme of funeral arrangements is released.
Welangai was a prominent maize and dairy farmer in Lugari settlement scheme.
Meanwhile, cattle theft has hit Kitale town with residents pointing accusing fingers at some corrupt butchery operators in the area.
Residents claimed that some dishonest butchery operators had formed a gang they use to raid homes and steal cattle.
Kibomet Assistant Chief Joseph Togom said a gang has in the past raided homesteads to steal cattle which they deliver to unscrupulous individuals running butcheries in the area.
“Cattle thefts have become rampant in the area and we are pursuing leads to arrest some people involved,” said the administrator.
Most affected estates are Kibomet, Naisambu, Bidii and Matisi where residents have lost their cattle to a well-organised gang.
