Former Voi MP Mghanga dies in a road accident

Former Voi MP Boniface Mghanga of the National Muungano Choir fame died last night after his car smashed on a lorry on the Nairobi-Mombasa road near Manyani.

The former MP was travelling from Nairobi to his Voi home when the accident occurred at around 8pm.

According to Taita Police boss Mr Nathaniel Aseneka, the former MP’s vehicle swerved to avoid a head on collision with an oncoming vehicle but rammed into the rear of a trailer that was moving at a snail speed.

“We cannot give further details on the cause of the fatal accident that has robbed this county of a prominent leader because there was no one who could give a real story of the happenings since he was alone in the vehicle,” he said.

Mr Mghanga had expressed interest to be elected the first Taita Taveta county governor in next year's general elections.

Mr Mghaga served as a civil servent for two decades before joining politics politics in 2003 when he was elected the Voi MP on a Kanu ticket.

In December 2007, he lost the seat to Dan Mwazo. He was appointed Kenya Utalii College chairman last year for a period of three years.

Mr Mghanga founded the Muungano National Choir in 1979 and was an advisor of the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM).

Political leaders and residents of Taita Taveta and the Coast region have described Mr Mganga as a patriotic leader who could have contributed enormously in the social wellbeing of the region.

Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadeghu said Mr Mganga excelled in politics and various activities.

“I received the sad news at about 9pm. A number of local leaders transferred the body from Voi Hospital to Pandya Memorial Hospital in Mombasa as we embark on funeral preparations,” said Mr Mwadeghu.