Former MP Oluoch Kanindo dies in Kisumu

Former MP Phares Oluoch Kanindo died Saturday at the Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu after a long illness. PHOTO/FILE

What you need to know:

  • The former MP died on Saturday night at the Aga Khan Hospital Kisumu after a long illness.
  • Friends and relatives Sunday thronged his Komolo-Rume home on the outskirts of Awendo Town to condole the bereaved family.
  • In the 2013 elections, Mr Kanindo unsuccessfully vied for the Migori Senate seat as an independent candidate.
  • He had earlier served as board chairman of the Awendo based South Nyanza Sugar Company (Sony).

Veteran Nyanza politician and former MP Phares Oluoch Kanindo died on Saturday night at the Aga Khan Hospital Kisumu after a long illness.

“He died few minutes after midnight,” said Mrs Margaret Juma Kanindo, one of the wives of the humorous politician.

“I am deeply saddened by the news of Mr Kanindo’s demise,” said Migori Governor Okoth Obado.

Mr Obado described Mr Kanindo as a development conscious person who jealously supported the development of the sugar industry.

Friends and relatives on Sunday thronged his Komolo-Rume home on the outskirts of Awendo Town to condole the bereaved family.

VIED FOR SENATE

In the 2013 elections, Mr Kanindo unsuccessfully vied for the Migori Senate seat as an independent candidate.

He lost to Dr Wilfred Machage who stood on an ODM ticket.

He had earlier served as the board chairman of the Awendo based South Nyanza Sugar Company (Sony).

Born on November 29, 1942, Mr Kanindo served as a member of parliament from 1979 to 1988.

He represented the larger Homa Bay constituency which previously consisted of the current Awendo, Rongo, Uriri and Rangwe and Homa Bay Town constituencies.

During that time, Mr Kanindo was appointed to serve in government as an assistant minister in the Ministry of Education.

The politician was born in the present Awendo Constituency in Migori County to the late Andrea Anindo and Masella Ojowi Anindo.

SCHOOLING

He attended Manyatta, Lwala, and Komolo-Rume primary schools.

He then joined Koderobara and Pe-Hill Intermediate School.

Mr Kanindo later got a scholarship to Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic) where he did a diploma in Radio and Wireless Electronics between 1961 and 1963.

After Kenya’s independence in 1963, Kanindo returned back to the country.

He later joined the Kenya News Agency (KNA) as a technician in radio and wireless devices.

Mr Kanindo was one of the pioneer staff members of KNA together with former Nyatike MP Ochola Ogur.

He later ventured in music, by joining The Electric & Musical Industries Ltd (EMI) where he served as the CEO in Kenya, under a proprietor, Graham Shepherd of EMI London, the son of the then speaker of the House of Lords in London.

He also produced several hits during his time as a music producer.