Veteran Nakuru politician Kenneth Matiba died Sunday evening at the age of 85.
He was hospitalized for 55 days, and in the past two weeks, was surviving on a ventilator.
Matiba will be remembered by many for his role in the struggle for multi-party democracy in Kenya.
Several Kenyans have mourned his death, saying he was the strongest man who fought tirelessly for a better Kenya, which landed him in prison and later in detention.
Kenneth Matiba's counterpart in detention Mr. Koigi Wamwere said that his friend Kenneth Matiba is now in heaven.
Speaking to journalist on Monday at his home, Wamwere said the bad treatment Matiba went through will automatically land him in heaven.
"And my feeling now is that as he goes to heaven, to face his maker, I have a feeling that he will be the most welcome," Koigi said.
He added: "His suffering must be a ticket to heaven, and am sure that is where he is."