Uhuru mourns Duncan Okombo and Kabeere M'mbijiwe
What you need to know:
President Kenyatta praised Prof Okombo’s contribution to the development of sign language, which, he said, had helped ensure equity between Kenyans by removing undue hindrances.
He said Prof Okombo would not be forgotten, and that his legacy would remain a point of reference for scholars and practitioners both now and in time to come.
Leaders and ordinary Kenyans are mourning the death of renowned University of Nairobi (UoN) linguistics professor Duncan Okoth Okombo.
Led by President Uhuru Kenyatta, the leaders described Prof Okombo’s passing as big loss to Kenya.
SCHOLAR
President Kenyatta described the late academic as one of Kenya’s most distinguished scholars.
“In linguistics and communication studies, he cut a niche for himself as a true patriot who ensured the growth of nationhood through his profession”, President Kenyatta said.
“I am deeply saddened his death.”
President Kenyatta praised Prof Okombo’s contribution to the development of sign language, which, he said, had helped ensure equity between Kenyans by removing undue hindrances.
He said Prof Okombo would not be forgotten, and that his legacy would remain a point of reference for scholars and practitioners both now and in time to come.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi termed Prof Okombo as a linguistics guru of all time.
GAB
“His death has robbed the country such a great and eloquent intellectual giant. May his soul rest in peace. We keep his family, friends and relatives in our prayers,” Mr Muturi said.
National Super Alliance co-principal Musalia Mudavadi said the country had lost a great intellectual who transformed the society through his own skills.
“He was a powerhouse in the field of communication. His intellectual zenith and the gift of the gab straddles beyond the African continent,” Mr Mudavadi said.
“For sure, students of communication and the general public who drew knowledge from this great man will miss him.”
M'MBIJIWE
President Kenyatta also sent a message of condolences to the family of former Cabinet minister Gilbert Kabere M’Mbijiwe who passed on today.
Mr M’Mbijiwe served as a minister for Agriculture and Health in President Moi’s government.
President Kenyatta said the late M’Mbijiwe was an astute politician who used his long experience in politics and public service to serve Kenyans.
“He contributed greatly to the growth of agriculture in Kenya,” he said.
