Raila Odinga’s cousin an 3-time Member of Parliament for Gem constituency Jakoyo Midiwo is dead.
The cause of death of the outspoken politician is yet to be established. He was 54 years old.
Raila’s party, ODM, mourned Jakoyo as a true son of the soil and part of the founders of the change movement.
Jakoyo Midiwo fell out with the ODM party at the height of the 2017 General Election after he lost the party primaries to longtime competitor Elisha Odhiambo.
He cited botched party nominations in 2017 and vied for the GEM parliamentary seat as an Independent candidate.
Early last year, he reconciled with the party top hierarchy and reunited with his first cousin Raila Odinga, describing his move as an effort to fight for the par from within.
During his return to ODM, Midiwo vowed to fight for the party and his cousin Raila Odinga.
“Together with my brother Raila, we have sat down and talked. Kenya is bigger than me. Henceforth nobody should try their tricks and games on our party leader Raila, I will definitely fight you,” he said.
Before Joining ODM, Jakoyo Midiwo, who was an MP from 2002-2017 was a member of NARC Party.
Politicians from across the political divide mourned Jakoyo with glowing tributes.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent his tributes to Midiwo’s family, remembering his boldness and debating prowess.
“I have received the sad news of the passing away of my friend, the Honorable Jakoyo Midiwo with shock and disbelief. I was with him during my recent working tour of Nyanza Region during which we opened several projects in his former constituency,” the President recalled.
Kakamega Governor and ODM Deputy Party Leader Wyclieffe Oparanya dscribed Jakoyo Midiwo as an astute leader with a very indipendent mind.
“Jakoyo Midiwo was an astute, progressive and transformative leader. He was an independent minded person who served his people with utmost humility, dedication and selflessness. His death is a big blow to our country. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” said Oparanya in a tweet.
