Kenya's remaining Independence minister dies aged 90

Former politician James Osogo at his home in Bunyala district Busia County. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

The only surviving minister of the independence Cabinet, James Nakhwanga Osogo, has died aged 90.

He died on Tuesday afternoon at the Aga Khan Hospital Kisumu where he was receiving treatment after he was admitted at the facility on August 5, 2023.

The politician who hails from Port Victoria, Busia County, served as minister between 1964 and 1980.

He served under founding President Jomo Kenyatta and President Daniel Arap Moi.

His political career started in 1963 when he was elected Member of the House of Representatives for Ruambwa (current Budalang'i constituency).

From 1964-1966 he served as Assistant Minister for Agriculture before being elevated to full Minister for Information and Broadcasting between 1966 and 1969.

He was moved to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry between 1969-1973 and doubled as Minister for Agriculture in May 1970.

Between 1973-1974, he served as minister for Local Government while overseeing the Ministry of Health and later took over at Foreign Affairs ministry. He also served as deputy leader of Government Business in 1978 and Minister for Agriculture in 1979 Minister for Agriculture.

Osogo would later 1980 take over at the Ministry of Livestock.