Robert Ouko's brother Mbaja dies in US

The brother of former Foreign minister Dr Robert Ouko (pictured) has died in the US where he went into exile.

Family sources disclosed that Barrack Mbaja, 78, died while undergoing treatment.

Mbaja, who is survived by a wife and four children, lived in Tacoma.

In previous interviews, Mbaja said he knew who killed Ouko, whose burnt body was found on February 16, 1990, at the foot of Got Alila.

This was 2.8km from Ouko’s home in Koru village, Muhoroni. When pushed to name them, he refused.

His brother Maurice Seda confirmed that he died on Monday, August 17, while receiving treatment at a USA hospital. Seda said he suffered stroke.

The family disclosed that plans are underway to bring his body home.

Unlike his brother Ouko who built a home in Koru in Muhoroni constituency, he remained at their ancestral home in Nyahera village.

The Nyahera home was on Tuesday filled with mourners who had learned of his death.

The local chief has pitched tent in the area backed by Administration Police to ensure social distancing.

Among those who sent heartfelt condolences were Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyongo.

''We the people of Kisumu County sincerely pass our condolences to the bereaved family and pray that God gives them strength to overcome the loss,'' he said.

Family friend Kevin Ouma said, "We have lost a real patriot and worrier of the time. May God rest his soul in eternal peace."

Mbaja was close to his brother Ouko, who was shot in the head and set alight in February 1990. Todate his death continues to cast a shadow over public life in Kenya.

At one point a Scotland Yard detective who investigated the killing concluded that he was murdered because he was about to expose graft by Cabinet ministers.

A retired detective superintendent, John Troon, was part of the team that investigated Ouko's death.

In a bid to find justice for Ouko, the government ordered several inquiries into his death.

But they were, however, either not concluded or not acted upon until former Kisumu East MP Gor Sunguh was named as the chairperson.

He made a report and presented it to Parliament for action. Sunguh later protested Parliament’s rejection of the findings of the probe into the death of Ouko.

Before he went into exile, Mbaja claimed he was offered a cabinet post in government if he made a public statement calling for the investigation into his brother's death to stop.

He said before his exile that the State promised to parachute him into government by being elected unopposed as an MP for Kisumu Town West. This was his electoral turf.

But Mbaja said after he refused the offer he was picked up by the police and reportedly tortured.

Family sources have planned a funds drive in Kisumu, Nairobi and the US as they plan for the body to be flown back home.