This archive report was first published on 24 June 2021.
On June 14, 2021, the country lost a fearless and astute debater, Jakayo Midiwo, who served as the Gem MP for 15 years. His colleagues in the National Assembly have since been eulogising him, describing him as a dedicated worker who ensured the people of Gem got what they deserved.
As part of the eulogies, lawmakers proposed to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) to name one of the committee rooms in the new Parliament building after Midiwo. The proposal was made to recognise his outstanding performance as a legislator.
“Let Jakoyo be the first outstanding leader to be named after a facility in this Parliament, we can take Room Seven, cafeteria or a floor in the new building and name it after the late Midiwo,” said Aden Duale, the Garissa Township MP.
According to Minority Leader John Mbadi, he had a conversation with Midiwo just days before his death, and they agreed to meet on Sunday to discuss issues of ODM. However, Midiwo did not pick up his call on Saturday, which Mbadi found unusual but did not read much into it.
‘He is my mentor, friend and when I received the news of his death, I was devastated. He allowed me space to grow in politics and taught me about parliamentary procedures,” Mbadi added.
