Kenya has lost one of its early statesmen. Mzee Burudi Nabwera, who was the country's first ambassador to the United States and its first permanent representative to the United Nations, has died at the age of 99.
Mzee Nabwera's career covered both diplomacy and politics. He represented Kenya abroad during the early years of independence, then came home to take up senior political posts. He served as Secretary-General of the Kenya African National Union (KANU) and as Minister of State in the Office of the President. Many Kenyans will also remember him as the uncle of Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera.
Closer to home, Mzee Nabwera holds a special place in Lugari history. In 1988 he became the first Member of Parliament for the newly created Lugari Constituency, and he was the one who put the seat on the political map. He lost it in the 1992 elections, after which he stepped back from active politics. Later, in 2007, he was appointed chairman of Nzoia Sugar Company in Bungoma for a three-year term.
His passing has stirred a lot of reactions online, especially from people in Western Kenya who knew him as a local leader and a man of the old school. Many have shared photos and memories of him, and the comment section of the WKT post shows how much people still remember him.
As of now, the family has not released a full statement on funeral arrangements or the cause of death. Kenyans will be watching closely for the official announcement, and we will update this story once more details are confirmed.
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