This archive report was first published on 27 July 2019.
Ken Okoth's Family Defies His Final Wish, Places Him on Life Support ¶
Ken Okoth, the former Kibra MP, had expressed his wish not to be placed on life support in case his condition worsened. However, his family and doctors decided otherwise, and he was placed on life support after multiple organ failure on Thursday night.
Okoth had been battling colorectal cancer and had spent months in Paris, France, undergoing treatment. He had recently returned to the country and was admitted to the Nairobi Hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on Thursday evening.
According to his brother, Imran Okoth, the MP's condition deteriorated at 8pm on Thursday, forcing doctors to place him on the life support machine against his wishes.
"We want to inform the nation, the people of Kibra, that the leader they trust, a servant leader, Honourable Ken Okoth, is no more. He passed on a while ago," Mr Imran said.
Okoth's death has sent shockwaves through the Kibra constituency, with his supporters thronging the hospital to mourn their departed leader.
"He has left a big gap in Kibra," said Mr Ali Noor Ibrahim, a resident.
Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Justin Muturi said that although Okoth had exhausted his medical cover, Parliament was ready to pool resources to ensure he got the required medication.
However, it was too late, and Okoth succumbed to his illness at 4pm on Friday at the Nairobi Hospital.
Okoth's colleagues in Parliament have paid glowing tributes to their fallen colleague, describing him as a focused MP, a committed leader, and a brilliant young man committed to his work.
