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Former Cabinet Minister Kamotho is dead


Former Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament John Joseph Kamotho is dead. Kamotho passed away early on Saturday morning at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg after suffering a cardiac arrest.

According to family members, Kamotho, who at the time of his death was 72 years old, had been receiving specialized treatment in South Africa.

While confirming the passing on of the former minister, one of his sons, Dr Charles Kamotho, said their father had been admitted at the hospital for two months where he underwent a hip surgery.

MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE

“He underwent the surgery successfully and was recovering well but he developed pneumonia and eventually a cardiac arrest,” Dr Charles Kamotho said.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, retired President Daniel arap Moi and Deputy President William Ruto are among the first leaders who sent messages of condolence to Kamotho’s family.

“For more than five decades, Kamotho gave an exemplary service to the people of Kenya both as a civil servant and a politician. He was a true believer in our national values, and his energy, commitment and loyalty were beyond doubt. His rich legacy will live on,” said Mr Kenyatta.

Kamotho was a powerful figure in President Moi’s government where he served in the Education and Local Government dockets.

POLITICAL CAREER

The diminutive politician first went to Parliament as the MP for Kangema in 1974. He served until 1983 when he lost a snap election.

Mr Kamotho was elected back to the House in 1988 to represent Kangema until 1992 when he lost the seat to the late John Michuki. He remained in the House for two consecutive terms as a nominated MP until 1998.

In 2003, JJ made it back to the House as the MP for Mathioya, a constituency that had been hived off the larger Kangema by Moi in an attempt to give the MP a softer political landing.

The family is planning to fly the body back home in readiness for burial in Mathioya constituency Murang’a County where he has a farm.