Former Gem MP Washington Jakoyo Midiwo who suddenly died in 2021 after a short illness (Photo Courtesy)
For the 15 years he served as an MP, Washington Jakoyo Midiwo made a name for himself as one of the most outspoken legislators in the history of modern Kenya.
For someone who comes from a politically-connected family, Midiwo followed the footsteps of his powerful cousin, ODM party leader Raila Odinga.
Midiwo had announced his arrival into politics in 2002 when he ousted the blundering incumbent, Joe Donde. He would never relinquish the position until 2017 when he suffered a shock defeat at the hands of his long time nemesis, Elisha Odhiambo.
For the almost two decades he served his people as MP, Midiwo was once a joint government whip in Parliament during the Grand Coalition Government between President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila.
After the 2013 general election, he was appointed by the Raila-led opposition as the deputy minority leader in the National Assembly.
But after losing the seat during the 2017 general election, Midiwo who was planning to make a grand return into the game in 2022, died in 2021 after a short illness. He was 54 years.
Midiwo's death shocked many considering that he had been part of the then President Uhuru Kenyatta entourage to Nyanza where the Head of State had gone to commission development projects.
Raila mourned his cousin as an honest man who served the country with all his heart. To the former Prime Minister, the death of Midiwo came as a personal blow both at a family level and in the political atmosphere.
In 2022, the former MP's brother, Dr Jalang'o Midiwo joined the race for Gem MP seat but lost to the incumbent.
Content created and supplied by: Greatmind (via Opera News )
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