The first Kenya musician to be awarded the International Golden Disc for the sales of a single hit in 1974 Mr Gabriel Omolo is dead.

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Known to many from his hit single 'Lunch Time' which sold over 150,000 copies, Omolo was born in 1939.

The musician died at the age of 80-years while undergoing treatment at the Busia county Referral Hospital after suffering a long illness.

Kenyans have taken to social media to condole with the family of the octogenarian musician.

@RadioCitizenFMMy condolences to the family and fans of the music veteran, mzee Gabriel Omolo.May his soul RIP!!

— philip mapesa (@mapesaphilip38) January 4, 2018

Rest in Peace Gabriel Omolo

— Steve Dettee Mtetezi (@stevedettee) January 4, 2018

#QwetuRadioTBT We have lost Gabriel Omolo. Born in 1939, Omolo was raised in the railway quarters of Muthurwa and later in Makongeni, Nairobi. He learnt how to play the guitar while at St Peter Claver Primary School, where he also sang in the choir. R.I.P @vincentateya pic.twitter.com/7C89VosgVs

— QwetuRadio (@QwetuRadio) January 4, 2018

Oi! This year hitting hard! RIP Gabriel Omolo! https://t.co/zrFmMWkxAS

— Keya Kinuthia (@keyakinuthia) January 4, 2018