Take a glance at Kajwang’s last moments

HUMOUROUS and fun-loving Senator Otieno Kajwang’s heart attack may have been triggered by an internal injury sustained in a road accident on Friday, the Star has learnt.

After his car rolled several times in Homa Bay, Kajwang’, who was aged 55, left the scene of the accident and hopped into a second vehicle so he could proceed to an ODM rally organised by Cord leader Raila Odinga.


Some of those with whom he shared his account of the accident advised him to travel to Kisumu so he could see a doctor to establish that he was fine, but when he got to Kisumu on Saturday, he forgot to consult a doctor, the source said yesterday.

“I called him on Sunday and asked him whether he had seen a doctor, but he said he was feeling okay and that he would see a doctor in Nairobi,” the source, who did not want his identity known, said.
On Tuesday, after a busy day in the Senate, he retired to his South B home, where his second wife lives. His first wife lives in Runda.

He complained of chest pains at 8.30pm and was rushed to the nearby Mater Hospital at 9pm.
Byron Omondi, a media and political consultant who met Kajwang’ on Tuesday evening at Parliament Buildings, said the senator was in a jovial mood.

“We were with him as from 6.30pm to about 8pm. He had called me to Parliament Buildings so we could brainstorm on a Bill that he was formulating that could have seen a foreign agency oversee the 2017 General Election and not the IEBC,” he said.

“Like any Kenyan, it is a blow to me because Kajwang’ is someone I have known for over 30 years; he was my senior at Maseno School,” he added.
Raila said at the Lee Funeral Home: “As you know, he was the chairman of ODM in Homa Bay county and also a member of our National Governing Council. We have lost a very strong, staunch, a think tank and dedicated member of ODM and of Cord.”

Raila said Kajwang’ was at the Senate on Tuesday afternoon where he contributed passionately on the police Bill.
“At Mater he walked out of the car himself to Casualty, where he collapsed and doctors tried to resuscitate him to no avail and he was pronounced dead at around 11.30pm,” Raila said.
Raila confirmed that on Friday Kajwang’ was involved in an accident as he headed to an ODM delegates’ meeting in Oyugis.

“His car was extensively damaged, and his driver was injured; we asked him to see a doctor, before he came back to Nairobi. He was in sound physical condition,” Raila said.
Senator Moses Wetang’ula recalled Kajwang’s last moments on Tuesday at the Senate, saying he contributed to the police reforms debate with a passion.
“He was the most dependable debater and persuasive senator on every issue. In fact, yesterday, Senator Kajwang’ made the most sterling speech that I have ever listened to while he was debating the Police Amendment Bill, dealing with national security and deployment,” Wetang’ula said.
“He was in the Senate until 6.15pm. He walked over to me and said, ‘Boss, I have done my day. See you tomorrow’”.

Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka described Kajwang’ as a bold and exuberant leader whose homour and eloquence will be missed.
Vihiga Senator George Khaniri said he had lost a longtime friend, and the country had lost a gallant leader who championed democracy.

ODM secretary-general Anyang’ Nyong’o, who is away at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
Conference in London, said in a condolence email:
“I have just learnt about the passing on of my friend and colleague, Senator Kajwang’. This is very sad indeed. At a moment like this words don’t suffice. That humour, exuberance and energy are gone – just like that! Lord God help us. Take Kajwang’s family into your hands, Lord, and give them strength. The Cord fraternity has lost a valiant soldier. Kenya has lost a patriot.”

– the-star.co.ke