NAIROBI, Kenya – The death of Environment minister John Michuki, aged 80, has robbed President Kibaki of a strong ally and the country of an action public servant.
Cabinet Minister John Michuki, who was the MP for Kangema constituency, died of a heart attack on Tuesday at Aga Khan Hospital, barely a week after returning from a two-month specialised treatment in the UK. He passed on at the Intensive Care Unit of the Heart and Cancer centre of the Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi, where he was admitted in critical condition on Sunday morning two days after returning from a London Hospital.
On Monday there were rumours that he had died, forcing the government to clarify that he was in hospital and was responding to treatment. Mr Michuki will be remembered for bringing sanity in the public transport sector in 2003 with tough traffic rules – including fitting PSVs with seatbelts, speed governors and banning overloading – which have come to be referred to as Michuki rules. The minister, who owned up the government raid on Standard media offices in 2006, will also be remembered for justifying the attack with his now infamous quote: “If you rattle a snake, prepare to be bitten.”
He will also be remembered for some goofs like the juggling liver in response to reforms and his take that removing Moi was the reforms he had in mind. Mr John Njoroge Michuki, was easily one of very few efficient and effective Ministers. He was also one of the Ministers who stood by the Prime Minister on the conservation of the Mau forest even when many, including the President were playing politics with our water towers.
He was passionate about what he did, like the clean up of the Nairobi River. Wherever he has been posted as Minister, results have followed. His death was announced by President Kibaki last night. The President described him as a dear friend, colleague and patriot. Mr Michuki stood by President Kibaki during the presidential elecyion standoff and was among government ministers present during the night swearing in of President Kibaki.
He said Mr Michuki would be remembered as a focused public servant, determined businessman and issue oriented politician. “He was a true family friend and dependable ally. In this time of mourning we pray to God to give his family and constituents the strength and fortitude to bear the great loss,” said the President. His last official assignment was the Durban Environmental Conference in South Africa between November 28 and December 9, last year, according to an account by Daily Nation writer Njeri Rugene. He flew back home from Durban but left for the United Kingdom just before Christmas for treatment.
The minister arrived back in the country on Thursday last week from London in the company of his wife Josephine and went first to his Nairobi home. He was later rushed to the Aga Khan hospital at 3am. At the Durban meeting, Mr Michuki stated Kenya’s determination to help reduce the blow of global warming, but called on the rich countries to boost the poor ones.
He was absent on Monday during the 12th Special Session of the United Nations Environmental Programme (Unep) Governing Council Global Ministerial Environment Forum in Nairobi. RICH LIFE HISTORY Mr Michuki was born in 1932 at Muguru Village, Iyego Location, Kangema Division in Murang’a County. He was educated in Kenya and overseas, serving as a Finance Permanent Secretary in the government of Mzee Jomo Kenytatta.
On joining politics, he was appointed an assistant minister in the Moi government. Mr Michuki had earlier served as executive chairman of Kenya Commercial Bank. He was in his fourth term as MP for Kangema Constituency. He had a reputation as a ruthless and efficient manager. In the Internal Security ministry, he cracked down on Mungiki gangs, which had killed more than 500 people.
Editor’s note: Editors, journalists and management of Media One International and BUSINESS TODAY joins the country and family in prayers and mourning during this grieving moment. May his soul REST IN ETERNAL PEACE.
