Former Attorney General Charles Njonjo is Dead

Kenya’s first post-independence Attorney General Charles Njonjo has died, President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced.

According to the president, Njonjo passed on on Sunday at 5 am.

Popularly referred to as “The Duke of Kabeteshire”, Njonjo died at the age of 101.

“The passing away of Hon. Njonjo is a big blow not only to his immediate family, friends and relatives but to all Kenyans and indeed, the entire African continent because of his leading role in the founding of the Kenyan nation at independence,” Uhuru said.

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“As a nation, we owe a debt of gratitude to Hon. Njonjo and his generation of independence era leaders for their selfless contribution to the laying of the solid foundation upon which our country continues to thrive.”

Njonjo was the only surviving member of Kenya’s independence cabinet.

The President prayed for comfort to the family and friends of the deceased who he described as national hero.

“On behalf of the Kenyan nation, my family and on my own behalf, I send deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and relatives of Hon. Njonjo, and indeed all Kenyans.”

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The deceased’s son-in-law, Kerry Ngini, disclosed that he (Njonjo) died of pneumonia.

The disease made his lungs collapse.

Njonjo was cremated at the Kariokor Crematorium at 9.30 am in the presence of 25 close family members.