Politician Kyale Mwendwa dies at 94

Kyale Mwendwa. He joined politics in 1985 following his brother Kitili’s death in a road accident. [File, Standard]

One of Kenya’s pioneer educationists Kyale Mwendwa has died aged 94.  

Kyale, the son of colonial era Kitui Paramount Chief Mwendwa Kitavi, was Kenya’s first Director of Education.

He held the post for many years during which he oversaw the establishment of a number of public primary and secondary schools as well as colleges.

Kyale, who comes from the prominent Mwendwa family in Kitui West, died on Tuesday in Nairobi.

His two late elder brothers, Ngala and Kitili Mwendwa, also held top State positions in the independence government.

Ngala was Kenya’s first Minister for Labour while Kitili was Kenya’s first African Chief Justice. His sister-in-law, Winfred Nyiva Mwendwa, Kitili’s wife, was Kenya’s first woman Cabinet minister. Nyiva retired from active politics after serving as Kitui Woman Representative.

Kyale (pictured) joined politics in 1985 following Kitili’s death in a road accident. He was elected MP for Kitui West Constituency, replacing his brother.

President Daniel arap Moi appointed Kyale a Cabinet minister in charge of Livestock Development, later transferring him to the Water docket where he served until 1988.

Nyiva was to stage a family coup, unseating him as MP for Kitui West.

He ditched Kanu at the advent of multi-party politics to join Mwai Kibaki and was among the founders of the Democratic Party (DP).

He unsuccessfully contested on the party ticket to reclaim the Kitui West seat from Nyiva in 1992.

He quit politics and returned to being an educationist, establishing St Austin Schools, a chain of private academies.

Early life

Kyale was also into farming and the hotel industry.

Family sources said he had been ailing for some time.

He breathed his last at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi.

The late Kyale was born in 1926 in Matinyani location, Kitui District (now Kitui County).

He started his early education in Matinyani location before proceeding to the prestigious Alliance High School in Kikuyu.

His burial date is yet to be announced.