Former Kibwezi Member of Parliament Kalembe Ndile has died at the age of 57, his family has confirmed.
Ndile died while being treated at the Nairobi Hospital where he had been admitted since Wednesday.
The former MP was receiving treatment for complications related to pancreatic cancer and he succumbed to the ailment at 5am Sunday.
His body has been moved to the Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi as funeral preparations are made.
Ndile was born in Western Uganda in 1964 and he once told a local media outlet that that is where he got the nickname Kalembe, which he later adopted as his name.
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The Tip Tip party founder was elected the MP for Kibwezi constituency in 2007 before he lost the seat to Patrick Makau in the 2013 general election.
He is well know for his comical remarks he made during political rallies and against his known and perceived nemesis during his political prime.
Among those who have mourned Ndile is President Uhuru Kenyatta, ODM leader Raila Odinga, Nzioka Waita and former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo.
1/2 President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent a message of condolence to the family, friends and relatives of former Kibwezi MP Richard Kalembe Ndile who passed away Saturday night. pic.twitter.com/Rh2RjKthaG
— State House Kenya (@StateHouseKenya) May 30, 2021
With great shock, I have learnt of the passing of former MP Hon Kalembe Ndile.
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) May 30, 2021
The people of Kibwezi and our country have lost a charismatic leader with exceptional grassroots mobilization skills who also cared deeply for the underprivileged.
May He Rest In Eternal Peace. pic.twitter.com/zlQrQX9nHx
#RIPKalembeNdile I remember Hon. Kalembe as the perennial optimist, forever smiling & constantly upbeat. The smile belied a shrewdness that could only have been acquired through adversity. You assumed him at your own risk.
— Nzioka Waita (@NziokaWaita) May 30, 2021
#RIPKalembeNdile My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of my late friend Hon. K Ndile fare thee well till we meet again. He knew how to mix politics and comedy like no other. ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/wSNLz2rs9x
— Hon. William Kabogo (@honkabogo) May 30, 2021