Kabuchai MP James Mukwe is dead

Kabuchai Member of Parliament James Lusweti Mukwe is dead, multiple sources including his Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang'ula confirmed.

Mr Mukwe (pictured) died on Thursday at a hospital in Nairobi where he was undergoing treatment.

The legislator, according to sources close to him, has been suffering from arthritis and gout for several years.

On April 17, 2020, the Ford Kenya MP was airlifted to Karen Hospital in Nairobi for specialised treatment after his health deteriorated.

This is after he was admitted at a private hospital in Bungoma for four days before his condition worsened.

He had been discharged after that admission at Karen Hospital and was recently taken ill.

Ford Kenya Party leader Moses Wetang'ula eulogised Mukwe as a hardworking and loyal member of the Lion party.  

"It's with profound shock and sorrow to learn of the passing on of Kabuchai MP Mukwe. He will be remembered as a hardworking and loyal member of FK party who served his people with utmost honesty, commitment and accountability," Wetang'ula said on Twitter.

 ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi also mourned the departed legislator.

"I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Kabuchai MP James Lusweti Mukwe of FORD-K Party. I pray that God will grant his family strength during this unfortunate time. My most sincere condolences to his family, friends and the people of the larger Bungoma County," said Mudavadi.

The 54-year-old MP was serving his second term after being elected to Parliament for the first time in 2013.

Mukwe also served as councillor for Chwele ward for 10 years becoming the Bungoma County council chairman between 2004 and 2008

The MP did his Kenya Certificate of  Education (KCE) in 1981 at Sanandiki Primary School from before joining Kimukungi Secondary School where he sat his KCSE in 1985.

Mukwe graduated with a Diploma in Public Administration from Chepkoilel University in 2012.

He worked at Kenya Posts and Telecommunication Corporation (KP&TC) as an account clerk from 1987 to 1992 before joining politics.

Rumours

In April this year, rumours of Mukwe's death emerged online prompting the MP to dismiss the reports.

"I am very OK and much stronger. In fact, I am just waiting to be discharged and go back home to serve my people," Mukwe told a vernacular radio station.