Kajwang, a vocal ODM leader and close confidant of opposition chief Raila Odinga, died at the Mater Hospital in Nairobi where he had been rushed for emergency treatment after suffering cardiac arrest on Tuesday night.
“It is very unfortunate,” a close family member said, “we have lost him.”
Fellow leaders and family members who spoke to Capital FM News at the hospital said he died of what was described as a ‘massive cardiac arrest’.
There was no immediate statement from the hospital.
A family member said he was taken to the hospital at about 9 pm after complaining of chest pains while at home, and was declared dead two hours later.
Among leaders who rushed to the hospital soon after the Senator was taken there was Ruaraka MP T.J Kajwang who is also related to the deceased. Kajwang had served as Immigration Minister in the former President Mwai Kibaki’s coalition government.
Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki said he was “shocked to learn that Kajwang is dead” having spoken to him at 4pm on Tuesday.
“We have lost a good debtor, great senator and lawyer,” he said of Kajwang whom he described as a “friend to both sides of government and the opposition.”
Fellow Senator Omar Hassan of Mombasa sent condolences to Kajwang’s family saying he had lost a “great comrade.”
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen said he will remember the deceased as a “passionate and eloquent debater who was full of life and humour.”
Several government officials, including State House Director of Digital Media Dennis Itumbi were at the hospital to condole with the family.
The family was working on plans to move the body to the Lee Funeral Home.
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