James Osogo, the last surviving member of Founding President Jomo Kenyatta’s Cabinet has died.
President William Ruto joined Kenyans in mourning the former Cabinet Minister.
“We mourn the passing of James Osogo, a respected public servant and politician who served as one of Kenya’s pioneer ministers. He was visionary, uncompromising and an astute thinker whose service to the community was unmatched.”
Osogo died on Tuesday, August 15 at the age of 91 years.
Musalia recognized Osogo as a true friend and a humble idol in a statement.
“I’ve lost a true friend.” Kenya has lost a long-serving citizen. Mzee Osogo has been a father figure to me as well as an illustrious politician. “Our families have always been very close,” he explained.
Osogo served in the Cabinet for 16 years, from 1964 to 1980, in several ministries throughout the Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Moi regimes.
He was appointed Assistant Minister for Agriculture from 1964 to 1966, Minister for Information and Broadcasting (1966-1969), Minister for Commerce and Industry (1969-1973), and Minister for Agriculture from May 1970.
He was also Minister for Local Government between 1973 to 1974, Minister for Health in 1974 and concurrently headed the Foreign Affairs docket.
Osogo was also the deputy leader of Government Business in 1978, Minister for Agriculture in 1979 and Minister for Livestock in 1980.
