Curtain falls on ex-minister Adhu Awiti

Leaders and family members on Tuesday paid glowing tribute to former Planning minister Adhu Awiti, who died at Avenue hospital in Kisumu on Tuesday.

They described Dr Awiti as a fighter who was at the head of reforms in the country, following his concerted push for devolution.

His daughter, Dr Catherine Kidida, described him as a man of honour whose main conviction was to ensure the family thrived on discipline.

She said her father, who died at around 3.30pm after a long battle with cancer, was a key pillar in the development of rural Kenya during his tenure as a minister.

“We are saddened by the great loss of a leader whose aspirations have lived with us all this time; we thank God for letting him rest peacefully in his sleep,” said Dr Kidida.

She thanked friends and family members who supported them through the difficult time when Dr Awiti was hospitalised.

“Our special thanks go to the county government of Homa Bay, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, friends who stayed by our side, Dr Irene Muchiri and Prof Abinya,” she said.

Mr Odinga said Dr Awiti was a staunch believer in the possibility of a better, more equal, just, fair and free Kenya.

He said his political advisor would be missed for his relentless efforts to sustain the gains of the Second Liberation that saw the birth of a democratic country.

“On behalf of my family, friends and the Orange Democratic Movement and Cord Coalition, I wish to pass my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Dr Awiti, who passed on after a prolonged battle with cancer,” said Mr Odinga.

“Dr Awiti’s role in the fight for the Second Liberation is well-documented,” said Mr Odinga.