Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka is in Luanda, Vihiga County to attend the burial of former speaker of the National Assembly speaker Kenneth Marende’s father, Eliud Josia Marende.
Josia died after a short illness at the Nightingale Hospital in Kisumu on October 16, 2024, aged 95 years.
“It is with humble acceptance of God’s will that we announce the promotion to glory of Baba Mwalimu Eliud Josia Marende that occurred on October 16, 2024, at Nightingale Hospital Kisumu after a short illness,” an obituary message read.
Marende’s father passed on just two years after the former speaker’s mother died in 2022.
Leaders present
Kalonzo is among the senior politicians attending the burial ceremony in Luanda. The other leaders who attended the burial were Democratic Action Party leader Eugene Wamalwa, Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni and former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu.
Also, ODM deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi and Luanda MP Dick Maungu attended the function.
Announcing his arrival, Kalonzo indicated that he had landed at the Kisumu International Airport
“I’m in Kisumu City for a quick stopover before travelling to Luanda, Vihiga County, to join my close friend Speaker Kenneth Marende, who is burying his father Baba Mwalimu Eliud Josia Marende this afternoon,” Kalonzo said.
Marende’s tenure as speaker
Kenneth Marende was voted to become the member of parliament for Emuhaya before being made the National Assembly speaker.
During the 2022 elections, Marende was fronted by the Azimio coalition leaders Raila Odinga and former President Uhuru Kenyatta to run for the position of speaker of the National Assembly against the current Moses Wetang’ula.
Marende was floored by Wetang’ula who had resigned from being the senator-elect for Bungoma County. Marende managed 130 votes of the MPs against Wetang’ula’s 215.
Some of the toughest decisions Marende made were during the grand coalition government of the late president Mwai Kibaki and former prime minister Raila Odinga.
Faced with the decision of who should be the leader of government business in parliament between the president and the prime minister, Marende concluded that he would take up the role as the speaker.
Marende was succeeded by Justin Muturi in 2013 when the Jubilee government swept into power after winning against Raila Odinga’s CORD coalition.
