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Irene Githinji and PSCU 

President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday led the country in mourning Senior Counsel Nzamba Kitonga who passed away on Saturday night.

In his message of condolence, the President described Kitonga as a constitutional law stalwart and a patriotic Kenyan with unmatched legal prowess.

“I am deeply saddened by the death of my friend Kitonga, a fine constitutional lawyer and a trailblazer whose successes in public service are finely documented.

We all remember and are forever indebted to Nzamba and his Committee of Experts for midwifing the Constitution 2010 and for his many exploits as a lawyer of high standing,” the President eulogised.

Kitonga, 64, collapsed and died on Saturday.

“Senior Counsel Kitonga played a major role in drafting the 2010 Constitution and as a country, we really needed his input as we take audit of it through the BBI.

Retired President Mwai Kibaki also mourned Kitonga, terming him an exceptional advocate who played a key role in Kenya’s constitutional reform process.

“He will be remembered for his role to oversee the historic midwifing of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, itself an epic watershed moment that brought to an end, a long running quest for change that had lasted for no less than two decades,” said Kibaki.      

Deputy President William Ruto mourned Kitonga as a fine intellectual and a legal giant, who was deeply devoted to the democratic process, bringing about much-needed reforms to our country through the new Constitution.

ODM leader Raila Odinga said Kitonga’s death is an irreparable loss to Kenya’s quest to improve on 2010 Constitution, where he served as chair of Committee of Experts.

“I have received with deep shock news of the passing of Kitonga, one of our country’s eminent lawyers; a first-rate legal mind and fighter for constitutionalism,” Raila mourned.

Wiper Democratic Movement Party Leader, Kalonzo Musyoka described Kitonga as a great friend and gifted lawyer.

“He steered the Constitution 2010 flagship and contributed to constitutional law and reform. The nation has lost one of its top legal minds,” Kalonzo condoled.