Nakuru’s London Ward Rep Samuel Mbugua dies after short illness

Nakuru County Assembly is mourning the death of yet another member, London Ward Representative Samuel Karanja Mbugua, who died on Wednesday night.

The Jubilee Party MCA has died barely a week after his Hell’s Gate counterpart passed on due to Covid-19 complications.

Nakuru Assembly Speaker Joel Kairu on Thursday confirmed that Mr Mbugua died after a short illness while undergoing treatment at the Nakuru War Memorial Hospital.

"The grim reaper has once again robbed Nakuru another of its committed and hardworking ward representatives. It is a sad day. On behalf of the assembly, I wish to send our message of condolences to his family and the people of London Ward," said Mr Kairu.

Mr Kairu described the late Mbugua as a selfless, committed and active ward representative.

Drove himself to hospital

Sources told the Nation that the MCA drove himself to the hospital on Tuesday and was diagnosed with liver and pancreas failure before he later developed breathing complications.

"He had earlier sought treatment at a Nakuru private hospital before he visited the War Memorial Hospital," said the source. 

Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui mourned Mr Mbugua, saying he was a dedicated, selfless leader who served with passion.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing on of Mr Mbugua. The MCA had a unique responsibility of representing a highly multi-ethnic ward, which gave him a broader and more balanced political approach. He was an honest and hardworking leader who displayed a great zeal in resolving his constituents' problems," stated Mr Kinyanjui.

"The sheng-speaking MCA was an easy going, likeable leader who had no time for petty disagreements. Nakuru has lost a peacemaker par excellence. At this difficult moment of sorrow, our hearts and prayers go to his family, friends and constituents," the governor added.

Huge loss

Nakuru Jubilee Party Secretary-General Peter Mtumishi Cheruiyot described the death as a huge loss to the county’s residents and the party.

"I have received with sadness news of the passing on of London Ward MCA Mr Mbugua. As a party, we have lost one of the most dependable and committed leaders. My sincere condolences to his family. May he rest in eternal peace," stated Mr Cheruiyot.

Mr Mbugua is the second MCA in Nakuru to pass on within a period of two weeks and third in one year.

Hell’s MCA John Njuguna alias WaSussy succumbed to Covid-19 complications last week while receiving treatment at a Nakuru hospital.

At the assembly the late Mbugua was the vice chairman of the Energy, Environment and Natural Resources committee.

He was also a member of the Lands, Housing and Physical Planning, Health Services and Labour and Social Welfare Planning committees.

His last public appearance was on Saturday in Naivasha during the burial ceremony of the Hell’s Gate MCA.