Kenya Stockholm Blog

Condolences Pour in Following Sumba’s Death

Mr. Sumba giving a farewell speech at Norsborg musikhuset before returning to Kenya after he ended his life in exile: September 2002

Kenyans in Stockholm continue to mourn the death of Comrade Onyango Sumba who passed away at Kenyatta National Hospital in Kenya. The sad news arrived yesterday and after a breaking news item at KSB, Kenyans who knew Mr. Sumba were plunged into mourning.

The death surprised many Kenyans because although Mr. Sumba was reported to have went into a coma, his condition had improved greatly especially after he started talking. According to Mr. Jack Mulo who continued to update KSB readers about Mr. Sumba’s situation, he was doing well and until Friday last week, he was talking. Suddenly, came the news that he had passed away.

As consultations with the family in Sweden continues on what Kenyans need to do, messages of condolences continue to pour in. Mr. Martin Ngatia, Chairman of the Kenya Red Alliance, said that the death of Mr. Sumba was a great loss to the entire country. He said that Mr. Sumba was a Democrat and revolutionary who never betrayed the struggle.

“Mr. Onyango Sumba was a learned person, an orator and an articulate speaker. He was fit to serve in any government and Kenya has lost a great revolutionary”, Mr. Ngatia told KSB. He said that Sweden was full of frustrations especially with educated people from the third world but that Mr. Sumba continued to struggle on.

Mr. Milton Muigai was too saddened by the departure of Mr. Sumba. “It is a really sad turn of events that it had to end in this way, abandoned at Kenyatta hospital by his “comrades” and their commander in chief. It leaves a sour taste in one’s mouth. Paddy deserved much better, but the hypocrites will now rally with the usual fake “rambirambi”. Kenyans in diaspora and at home should take note, regardless of political affiliations, of how life has become so cheap to the political elite at home”, he said.

“Paddy is gone but will not be forgotten, especially in Stockholm, by all who knew him. His legacy of recognizing the brotherhood of Kenyans regardless of ethnic origin should be held as true and emulated in deeds as we struggle for a better Kenya and a brighter future for all”, Mr. Muigai concluded.

Mr. Joseph Munene aka Man Nzoro said that the loss of Mr. Sumba was sad in deed. “It’s soo sad to hear that Onyango Paddy is gone. I describe him as a real patriot, one whom I agreed and disagreed with on a number of issues, socially and politically, and at the end we laughed and had fun in stocki. I last met Paddy in Nairobi in April 2007 and he was so happy to see me after many years. He wanted to know ville wakenya are fairing in stocki but little did I know that it was to be our last meeting. He will be missed by those who knew him especially here in stocki. Pole sana to his family hapa stocki and back home”, Mr. Nzoro wrote at KSB.

Others who have sent condolences are Dr. Jared Odero, Mr. Laban Mberi, Mr. Patrick Mwangi aka Manto, N. Wandaka, Sospeter Opee, Githuku wa Muirani and Mr. Dick Kamau who is in Kenya.

Speaking to KSB, Mr. Kamau said that the death of Mr. Sumba at Kenyatta National Hospital confirms his fears that he had been abandoned at the hospital by his political contacts. Mr. Kamau said that although Mr. Sumba’s family in Kenya had been beside him all the time and taking good care of him, he said that political contacts who ought to have been paying more attention to Mr. Sumba’s condition had neglected him. Condolences continue to pour in and KSB will update readers with time.

Okoth Osewe

October 13, 2009 Posted by makozewe | In Memorium | 1 Comment