Lawrence Sifuna: Former MP And Second Liberation Icon Dies At 78

• Former Bungoma South MP Lawrence Sifuna died at a hospital in Eldoret after suffering a stroke
• ODM party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said the former lawmaker suffered a stroke a few days ago
• He was first elected as MP in 1979 in the then-larger Bungoma South constituency and was re-elected in 1983

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Bungoma - The former Bungoma South lawmaker, Lawrence Sifuna, has died.

In a statement on Sunday, December 23, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna said the former MP died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Eldoret.

The former MP, who is the brother of Senator Sifuna's father, suffered a stroke and was rushed to the hospital.

"Hon. Lawrence Sifuna, former MP Kanduyi and Bumula Constituencies, left us last night whilst receiving treatment at an Eldoret Hospital following a stroke he suffered a few days ago. As a Family we are grateful for all the messages of love that we continue to receive. May God Bless you all," Sifuna said.

He was first elected as MP in 1979 in the then-larger Bungoma South constituency. He was re-elected in 1983 too.

Raila's message after Lawrence Sifuna's death

Sifuna was one of the left-wing members of parliament in the 1980s who persistently fought Attorney General Charles Njonjo and government policies that clamped down on Kenyans' basic human rights.

He was one of the politicians who fought for Kenya's second liberation

In his condolence message, the ODM party leader, Raila Odinga, described the former MP as a defender of people's rights.

"Deeply saddened by the passing of Hon. Lawrence Simiyu Sifuna, a former MP, key figure in the second liberation, defender of the people, and a life member of ODM. My condolences to the Sifuna family, Party SG Edwin Sifuna, the people of Kanduyi, and the entire nation. May He RIP," Raila said.

How Raila mourned former senator Godliver Omondi

Elsewhere, the ODM leader showed up at Bulimbo in the Matungu constituency to join family and mourners in bidding farewell to Godliver Omondi.

Godliver died on November 13 at Kisumu's Aga Khan Hospital after a bout of illness.

She had been booked into the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after developing complications related to blood pressure and diabetes.

Until her death, Godliver, who served as a senator between 2013 and 2017, was a nominated member of the Kakamega County Assembly.