President Ruto mourns ex-minister James Osogo

Osogo, who was the first MP for Budalangi constituency, succumbed to illness at the Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu on Tuesday. He was 91.

President Ruto used the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to honour the nation's first cabinet member and express his condolences to his family and loved ones.

"We mourn the passing of James Osogo, a respected public servant and politician who served as one of Kenya’s pioneer ministers. He was visionary, uncompromising and an astute thinker whose service to the community was unmatched," he said.

"We honour the great life that he led and the rich memories that he leaves with us. Our prayers to the family and friends during this painful time. Rest In Peace, Hon Osogo."

The late Osogo was appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture (current day CAS) in President Jomo Kenyatta's government in the early years of Kenya's post-independence era.

Shortly after President Kenyatta's relationship with Vice President Oginga Odinga soured, the cabinet was reshuffled, and Osogo was promoted to head the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, replacing Achieng' Oneko.