This archive report was first published on 27 July 2019.
Ken Okoth, the 41-year-old Kibra MP who passed away on July 27, 2019, had been suffering from colorectal cancer. His brother, Imran Okoth, revealed that the late MP had requested not to be put on life support if his organs failed.
According to Imran, Ken was admitted to Nairobi Hospital on Thursday morning and was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after his condition deteriorated. He had been undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which affected his immunity and led to organ failure.
"He has been on chemotherapy and radiotherapy and they really affected his immunity and he suffered organ failure. Ken was admitted yesterday and was later transferred to the ICU and he died at around 4pm today," Imran said.
Disappointed residents of Kibra gathered outside Lee Funeral Home to mourn the legislator, but the family decided to have a private viewing of the body, deferring the decision to Saturday. Riot police were called in to prevent commotion as youths from the late MP's constituency attempted to bring down the mortuary's gate.
"He was the best MP we ever had, our children are in school now and because of him, people have seen that Kibra can be like any other estate," one mourner said.
Nyaribari Chache MP Richard Nyagaka Tongi and Nyando MP Jared Okello were among legislators who visited Lee Funeral Home to pay their respects.
