Former Cabinet minister Henry Obwocha is dead
Former Cabinet minister and West Mugirango MP Henry Obwocha has died.
The current West Mugirango MP Vincent Kemosi said the former lawmaker, 69, died after collapsing at his home in Nairobi on Friday night.
Obwocha had on Friday afternoon attended a relative’s funeral in Nyamira County and requested to be driven to Nairobi, saying he was unwell.
On arriving at his Nairobi home, however, his condition worsened according to a close relative.He was then rushed to Nairobi Hospital where he was pronounced dead at about 11pm.
Until his death, he was the chairman of the Privatisation Commission. Obwocha served as West Mugirango MP between 1992-2007 and was the Planning and National Development minister in the Narc government.
His profile on the Privatisation Commission website says he was a founder member of the KCA University and of the council that drafted Kenya’s Vision 2030.
On Saturday, President Uhuru Kenyatta was among several national leaders who mourned his death.
It is with deep sadness that I learn of the untimely death of Hon. Henry Obwocha this morning. The late was a distinguished long serving public servant, lawmaker and accountant whose service to the nation will be greatly missed.
— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) August 4, 2018
Other leaders who sent their messages of condolences to Obwocha’s family, friends and relatives are deputy president William Ruto, opposition leader Raila Odinga and Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula.
I have learnt of the passing of Hon. Henry Obwocha. My very sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to his family, the people of Mugirango whom he served with dedication as MP and the Abagusii community in general.
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) August 4, 2018
Condolences to the family, friends and the people of West Mugirango in Nyamira County following the passing on of former minister Henry Obwocha. Mr Obwocha served the country with distinction, mettle and performed admirably in the Planning and National Development docket.
— William Samoei Ruto (@WilliamsRuto) August 4, 2018
I have learnt of the passing on of Henry Obwocha with great shock. He distinguished himself as a great Ford Kenya mp in the 7th parl. RIP
— Sen.Moses Wetang’ula (@Wetangulam) August 4, 2018
Obwocha was a graduate of the University of Nairobi where he studied Commerce for his bachelor’s degree before proceeding to Oxford University for a masters in economics and management.
He was also a fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya.
Obwocha was also a close confidant of former powerful Cabinet minister Simeon Nyachae.