This article explores the biography of Otieno Kajwang’. Kajwang was no doubt a jovial politician known for moving Kenyan political crowds with his famous song Mapambano. Read here to know more about this man.
Otieno Kajwang Profile
Otieno Kajwang was a famous Kenyan politician who was born on 15th July 1959 and died in the year 2014 at Mater Hospital after suffering cardiac arrest.
Before he died, he had served his people in different political positions including as a Member of Parliament for Mbita Constituency and as the First Senator for Homa Bay County.
Kajwang was a staunch member of the Orange Democratic Party headed by the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. His political career begun when he was at the University of Nairobi.
He was the student leader in the year 1979 during which he organized for a demonstration against Moi’s government and was expelled with other Kenyatta University student leaders.
One thing that he will always be remembered for is his fight for the initiative that saved Kenyans in the United Kingdom the struggle to apply for their Passports and Kenyan IDs in Nairobi.
He did this while holding the office of an Immigration Minister. Kenyans were now allowed to apply for their IDs and Passports at the Kenyan High Commission in all embassies including London.
Otieno Kajwang was a certified lawyer after he completed his studies at the graduate school of Kenya School of Law. Before joining this school, he was a student at the University of Nairobi until he was expelled.
While at the University of Nairobi, he demonstrated fearlessness more especially when it came to matters fighting for the student’s rights: what led to his expulsion.
Hon. Otieno Kajwang Family
Otieno Kajwang had two wives; Rose and Faith Vivian Otieno. His brother, Moses Kajwang, is another prominent lawyer who took over as the Senator of Homa Bay after he died.
The second wife made headlines after her claims that the family of the late Otieno Kajwang had blocked her from accessing the funds raised by the late Kajwang’s friends for her children’s education.
Faith, further stated that she was legally married to the late Kajwang in the year 1993 after her husband accompanied by the former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga paid a dowry of 12 cows and Ksh 60,000.
Therefore, she demands to be recognized as the wife to the late Kajwang just like the other wife, Rose.
Otieno Kajwang’ Brothers
Otieno Kajwang’s brothers are Moses Otieno Kajwang and Tom Joseph (TJ) Kajwang. Moses Kajwang is the current senator for Homabay County. TJ Kajwang is the current Member of Parliament for Ruaraka Constituency.
Otieno Kajwang Death and Burial
On 19th November 2014, Kenyans received the saddest news about the death of the famous Senator Otieno Kajwang.
After hearing about the death of Kajwang, leaders thronged Mater Hospital, where he was admitted until his death, and others went to Lee Funeral Home, where his body was taken.
Cause of Death
The Standard Group through The Nairobian article revealed that Otieno Kajwang had died of a heart attack caused by sex-enhancing drugs commonly sold under the brand name Viagra.
Kenyan leaders led by President Uhuru Kenyatta and other leaders from other African countries sent their messages of condolences to the family and Kenyans for losing a very able leader.
Before the body was flown to his home area in Homa Bay County, a funeral service was done in Nairobi.
The funeral service was conducted at the Nairobi Central SDA church after which the body was taken to Uhuru Park, where thousands of mourners were waiting to bid farewell to the late Otieno Kajwang.
Otieno Kajwang’s Burial
On 28th November 2014, the burial day of the late Kajwang, thousands of Kenyans gathered in Waondo village in Mbita Constituency to send off their leader.
At the burial, several leaders led by Kajwang’s best friend Raila Odinga, and family members led by the widow, Rose, gave their speeches about how well they knew Kajwang.
On this day, Kajwang was given a heroic send-off, with more than 40 bulls, 100 sheep and goats, and 600 hens being slaughtered to feed the mourners in celebrating the life of the late Kajwang.
