News Former Kamukunji MP George Nthenge Passes away

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Former Kamukunji MP George Gregory Wilson Nthenge has died at the age of 94.

Nthenge, an independence-era politician and former Cabinet Minister, passed away on Tuesday at his home in Nairobi’s Buruburu estate.

His son Edward Musembi Nthenge said his father was recuperating at home after being discharged from Nairobi Hospital a few weeks ago.

The deceased was a member of the Legislative Council of Kenya (LEGCO) for the then larger Machakos District in 1960 and was among leaders who attended the Lancaster House Conference in London before Kenya’s independence. He was also one of the authors of Kenya’s first constitution.

Nthenge served as the MP for Iveti South in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, and MP for Kamukunji from 1992 to 1997.

In November 1978, he survived a road accident in the Maanzoni area along Nairobi-Mombasa Road where he lost his ten children and his first wife as he ferried them to school in Nairobi. He is survived by his seven children.

He was also an accomplished businessman, having founded a handicraft factory in Machakos town in 1953, making him one of Kenya’s foremost curio exporters.

President Kenyatta eulogized Nthenge as an elder statesman and an icon of Kenya’s independence struggle who played a vital role in entrenching democracy in the country.

“It is disheartening to learn of the passing away of Hon George Nthenge, one of our country’s few remaining independence-era politicians, freedom fighter, and architect of our second liberation.”

“It is because of the solid foundation laid by Hon George Nthenge and his generation of leaders, and their work over the decades, that Kenya stands tall in the community of nations as a strong, democratic and prosperous nation,” Uhuru said.

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua said Nthenge died of COVID-19 complications.

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