Mwai Kibaki was firm but smooth schemer, recalls member of first Cabinet

James Osogo, the only surviving cabinet minister in Jomo Kenyatta's government and a close ally to the late president Mwai Kibaki. [Mumo Munuve, Standard]

Today as Kenya’s third President Emilio Mwai Kibaki is laid to rest in Othaya, Nyeri County, his long time friend and only surviving member of the independence Cabinet, James Nakhwanga Osogo, will be grieving at his home in Port Victoria, Busia County, and only monitoring proceedings on television.

“I wish I was in Nairobi or even Othaya at the moment to see his body, but age has caught up with me and I can’t move,” says Osogo, who has instead tasked one of his sons to represent him “in this very important funeral of my colleague and good friend”.