Former East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) member Abubakar Zein has died.

Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka announced Zein’s death in a condolence statement issued on Thursday, July 9, 2026, describing him as a patriot, trusted adviser and close friend.

“This morning, a family lost its anchor, Kenya lost a patriot, and I lost an invaluable colleague, friend, and confidant,” the Kalonzo statement reads.

Kalonzo described Zein as a principled leader who consistently placed the country’s interests above personal ambition.

“Hon. Abubakar Zein was a profile in courage. Time and again, I watched him choose the difficult path over the comfortable one, principle over politics, country over career,” the statement reads.

Distinguished public service

According to Kalonzo, Zein served as a commissioner of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission, where he contributed to the making of the 2010 Constitution.

He also served as a Member of the East African Legislative Assembly between 2012 and 2017, championing regional integration, good governance and the fight against corruption.

Kalonzo further revealed that Zein later headed his Presidential Secretariat and played a key role during the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) negotiations in 2023.

“Zein was also a negotiator who could hold a room without raising his voice and a strategist whose counsel I leaned on more than most will ever know,” the statement reads.

Condolences

Kalonzo said Zein also made significant contributions to Kenya’s arts, music and theatre community, describing him as a lifelong supporter of creative talent.

“Today, a chapter of quiet, uncelebrated courage has closed, one this nation will only fully understand in his absence. We will miss Zein dearly,” the statement reads.

On behalf of his family, the Wiper Patriotic Front and the Azimio la Umoja coalition, Kalonzo conveyed his condolences to Zein’s family, relatives and friends.

“We pray that Allah (SWT) forgives his shortcomings, accepts his good deeds, expands and illuminates his grave, and grants him the highest ranks of Jannatul Firdaus,” the statement concludes.