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Former Cabinet Minister Soita Shitanda is dead

Sources close to the family told Capital FM News that Shitanda passed away at the Nairobi Hospital on Tuesday afternoon/XINHUA FILE

Sources close to the family told Capital FM News that Shitanda passed away at the Nairobi Hospital on Tuesday afternoon/XINHUA FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 24 – One-time Housing Cabinet Minister Soita Shitanda is dead.

Sources close to the family told Capital FM News that Shitanda passed away at the Nairobi Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

“Yes, he passed away at about 1.30pm this afternoon,” Lugari MP Ayub Savula who was close to Shitanda told Capital FM News when reached on telephone.

He said he had been informed Shitanda was scheduled to leave hospital on Friday after his health improved but it deteriorated again.

“I would like to convey my sincere condolences to the family,” Savula said.

It is understood that Shitanda, who once served as Member of Parliament for Malave Constituency, has been in hospital for about three weeks now.

“He was initially admitted to the Intensive Care Unit but had been taken to a general ward when he got better,” Savula disclosed.

Shitanda developed breathing complications on Tuesday morning and was taken back to the ICU where he passed on.

According to Savula, Shitanda was unable to attend his brother’s burial a week ago and he had to represent him.

Among those who condoled with the family of Shitanda was ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi.

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“He was a brother and confidante. The Luhya have lost a great son and leader” he said while at the mortuary to view the body.

“He was a sharp debater as MP and defender of development. An Effective minister for housing who initiated many outstanding projects,” Mudavadi said.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga recalled that he served with Shitanda both in the August House when he first joined Parliament in 1998 and in the Cabinet.

“Mr Shitanda was a soft spoken leader who represented his people diligently and with a lot of dedication. He never shied away from stating what was on his mind and always spoke without fear. He was a good debater in the House and a good man to listen to,” Odinga said.

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