Veteran politician Martin Shikuku dies

Veteran politician Martin Shikuku has died.

Mr Shikuku died Wednesday evening at the Texas Cancer Centre in Nairobi's Hurlingham.

The former Butere MP was undergoing cancer treatment.

To many Kenyans he was known as the ‘peoples’ watchman’ due to his fiery fight for the rights of ordinary Kenyans.

In his years inside and outside Parliament, the late Shikuku was a defender of the poor.

Leaders led by President Kibaki mourned the late Shikuku.

The President described him as a "seasoned politician who was well versed in parliamentary procedures" and "very sensitive to the plight of the common mwananchi".

He said that, in many ways, the late politician was one of the country’s founding fathers as he participated in the formulation of the old Constitution at Lancaster in the UK.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga said the late "Martin Shikuku was no ordinary Kenyan".

"At a very tender age, he fought for the birth of the Kenyan nation, representing his country at the London constitutional conference.

"Then he watched as the ideals and the constitution he fought for were being betrayed and killed. His personal freedom got curtailed in independent Kenya with a long stint in detention authored by the very leadership he had fought to install," said Mr Odinga.

"Mr Shikuku fought a good fight and ran a good race. If goodwill and human effort were alone to keep him alive, he would not have died. He had plenty of good wishes and we tried as fellow human beings to keep him alive.

"We will continue the fight from where he left it. That is my assurance," the PM said.

Gichugu MP Martha Karua said she felt a "profound sense of loss to the nation" with the death of the late Shikuku.

"Hon Shikuku, popularly known as 'the Peoples' Watchman', was a true crusader for the downtrodden. He was a man who believed in, practiced and lived democracy; a patriot who devoted his life to serving Kenyans," said Ms Karua.

"Mheshimiwa has left his footprints all over our nation and in our hearts. My heartfelt condolences to his family, close friends and the nation. Fare thee well compatriot, I celebrate your life!"