Kenya politician Kiliku dies in Mombasa

Renowned politician and former Changamwe MP Kennedy Kiliku has died in the coastal town of Mombasa.

According to his wife, Elizabeth Kiliku, Mr Kiliku started complaining of chest pains Thursday night at around 9 p.m.

He was rushed to Mombasa Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Mourn

On hearing the news, distraught residents flocked his home to mourn with his family at his Tudor home.

At the time of his death, Mr Kiliku was chairman of the Labour Party of Kenya (LPK).

The veteran politician was also until 2008 the secretary general of the Dock Workers Union.

President Kibaki mourned Mr Kiliku describing him as "hardworking".

In his condolence message, he said "death has robbed the country and the people of Mombasa of a hard working and dedicated person who served the nation diligently in various capacities".

President Kibaki, who at one time worked with the late Kiliku in the Democratic Party (DP), said he was a "humble, sociable and respectable person who interacted well with others".

He said Mr Kiliku had initiated various development projects in the constituency during his tenure as Changamwe MP.

Three terms

Mr Kiliku represented Changamwe constituency for three consecutive terms (1983-1992) on a Kanu ticket. He was ousted by incumbent MP Ramadhan Kajembe in 1997.

He chaired a Parliamentary Select Committee that investigated ethnic clashes in the run -up to the first Kenya multi party elections in 1992.

The recommendations of the Kiliku Report were, however, never implemented after sharp divisions over its contents emerged in Parliament.

Mr Kiliku leaves behind five children and a grandson.