Lawrence Sifuna, a former Member of Parliament for Bungoma South (now Kanduyi) and Bumala, has died.
Mr Sifuna, 77, died while receiving treatment at an Eldoret hospital following a stroke a few days before.
The former legislator was well-known in Bungoma County for his zealous advocacy for the rights of sugar cane farmers.
Mr Sifuna, who was born on January 23, 1946, was the first MP for the Bumula Constituency from 1979 to 1988.
Sifuna, a trained chartered accountant, was a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Accountants as well as a Fellow of the Association of International Accountants.
Sifuna’s advocacy for the welfare of sugar cane farmers in Bungoma County was one of his notable accomplishments.
He fought for their rights and worked to improve their living conditions with zeal.
In the 1980s, he was also known as a left-wing member of parliament. He boldly challenged former Attorney General Charles Mugane Njonjo and criticized government policies that violated Kenyans’ fundamental human rights.
Sifuna was a key member of the larger group that fought for Kenya’s second liberation. He was actively involved in movements and initiatives that sought to effect political and social change in the country.
Sifuna lost his seat in the 1988 General Election to Mr Maurice Makhanu, a former North Eastern Provincial Commissioner, after the Bungoma South constituency was renamed Kanduyi.
He made a comeback, however, in the first multi-party General Election in 1992. He was able to reclaim his seat on a Ford Asili ticket.
Throughout his political career, he became a well-known figure in Bungoma County and was highly regarded for his contributions to the region’s development.
Sifuna continued to be involved in various community development projects even after he retired from active politics.
