Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has issued a statement expressing his condolences following the sudden death of Joel Munuve, the Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Kariobangi North Ward.
Sakaja’s message, released hours after the announcement of Munuve’s passing, lauded the late MCA as a dedicated and passionate servant of the people and a community champion who tirelessly pursued better service delivery for his constituents.
“It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that I have received the news of the sudden passing of Hon. Joel Munuve, the Member of County Assembly for Kariobangi North Ward. Hon. Munuve was a dedicated and passionate servant of the people — a leader who carried the hopes and aspirations of his constituents with unwavering commitment,” Sakaja wrote in his statement on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
He acknowledged Munuve’s firm voice in the Nairobi City County Assembly, always advocating for the betterment of Kariobangi North residents.
“His voice in the Nairobi City County Assembly was firm and always grounded in the pursuit of better service delivery and dignity for the residents of Kariobangi North. As a County, we mourn the loss of a true son of Nairobi — a community champion, and a man who believed in the vision of a working Nairobi. His absence will be deeply felt at the Assembly and in the hearts of all who knew and worked with him,” Sakaja said.
Adding that;
“On behalf of the Nairobi City County Government. I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the people of Kariobangi North during this incredibly difficult time. May they find strength in the legacy he leaves behind, and may his soul rest in eternal peace.”
However, Sakaja’s message of mourning comes against a backdrop of growing calls for a swift and thorough investigation into the cause of Munuve’s unexpected death.
Wiper Democratic Movement party leader Kalonzo Musyoka was among the first to publicly demand answers.
In a statement shared via his X account, Musyoka expressed his deep sadness at Munuve’s passing, describing him as a tireless advocate of the rights of people and dedicated servant of the people of Kariobangi.
Kalonzo additionally called for a swift investigation into Munuve’s death.
“As we mourn Hon. Munuve, we urge quick action on establishing the cause of his sudden death,” Kalonzo stated.
Munuve was known for his vocal and often critical stance on Governor Sakaja’s administration.
He frequently sought accountability and transparency on various county projects and was a prominent voice demanding better services for Nairobi residents.
His death is particularly noteworthy as it occurred shortly after he had requested a formal statement regarding the operations of Governor Sakaja’s flagship school feeding programme.
In his inquiry to the Health Sectoral Committee, Munuve raised questions about the transparency surrounding donations received for the program and the utilisation of the Ksh5 fee paid by each student for their daily meal.
Furthermore, Munuve had been a strong advocate for the transfer of Mama Margaret Kenyatta Hospital back to the national government, proposing its integration as a satellite facility of the Kenyatta National Hospital, the country’s largest referral hospital.
In recent communications, including letters addressed to President William Ruto, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, and Governor Sakaja, Munuve had voiced concerns about the quality of services at the hospital.
The confluence of Munuve’s recent critical inquiries into the Sakaja administration and the sudden nature of his death has fueled speculation and amplified the calls for a comprehensive investigation.
While Governor Sakaja mourns the loss of a colleague, the demands for transparency surrounding Munuve’s passing are likely to intensify in the coming days.
Martin Oduor
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