Former Minister Waruru Kanja dies in Nyeri

By  WAINAINA NDUNG'U

NYERI, KENYA:  Fiery politician, former freedom fighter, and former Nyeri MP Waruru Kanja has died.

The politician who rose to be a short lived minister for Information and Broadcasting in the Moi era in the 1980s died at the Tumu Tumu Mission hospital early today from age related illness.

He had been at a Nairobi Hospital earlier but was discharged and relocated to his home in Kiganjo, near Nyeri town.

His family said he was admitted to the Presbyterian Church Mission Hospital on December 1 where he remained until he succumbed at 5.30 am today.

He suffered from various complications due to old age including diabetes and was asthmatic.

The outspoken politician who died aged 83 years was the second born in a family of six. His children include journalist and former Standard Group Editorial Director Wachira Waruru who was later appointed managing director of Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and is now managing director at Royal Media Services- the owners of Citizen TV and Radio.

His other journalist son Kanja Waruru. A family spokesperson said burial arrangements will be announced later.