Leaders pay glowing tribute to Youth PS Murugu

By Cyrus Ombati

Youth and Sports PS Murugu Kinuthia died of bullet injuries from a gang attack three weeks ago in Hurlingham, Nairobi.

Murugu died Thursday morning at about 3.30 am at the Nairobi Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit where he has been since the June 20 shooting.

President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, his predecessor Moody Awori, Minister Hellen Sambili, her assistants Kabando wa Kabando and Wavinya Ndeti condoled with the family.

Former Youth and Sports PS Murugu Kinuthia

The President described the late Murugu as an articulate and consummate public servant who was deeply committed to the youth agenda.

"The late Murugu tirelessly helped to pursue an agenda dear to my heart, that of youth development. His absence will especially be greatly felt by the youth who had found in him a true friend and a mentor," the President said.

Kibaki noted that in the short term the late Murugu served the Government, he successfully launched the National Youth Enterprise Fund and the Kazi kwa Vijana programme.

Raila said criminals had robbed the country and, particularly the youth, of a friend and a servant who should have lived to serve them.

"At one of our NESC meetings, he presented a short video that left every participant in no doubt we were sitting on a time bomb if we did not address the issue of youth and unemployment," said Raila.

Brilliant and visionary

Musyoka described the late Murugu as a brilliant and visionary administrator who was at the heart of implementation of Vision 2030.

The VP said he had worked with the late PS for many years in the Scouts Movement and knew him as a hardworking and focused public servant, who inspired the youth.

He said it was regrettable the PS had died following a carjacking incident by young people despite having dedicated most of his adult life moulding the youth to be responsible citizens.

Awori said he remembered the way Murugu fought hard for street children. The former Starehe Boys’ Centre student and Navy officer, Murugu left four children and widow.

Gunmen confronted Murugu along Muringa Road, near Yaya Centre, and shot him, bullets rupturing his kidney and other vital body organs.

Several senior Government officials visited his Lavington residence to condole the PS’ family. Some of the leaders faulted the Government over soaring insecurity and demanded action to restore public confidence.