Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho joined the rest of the country in morning multiparty democracy hero Kenneth Matiba.
The former Kiharu MP and 1992 presidential candidate died on Sunday evening at a Nairobi hospital following a long illness.
In his condolence message, Joho said:
"I am deeply saddened by the passing on of the second liberation hero Kenneth Stanley Njindo Matiba.
His death is a huge loss to the country.
The late Matiba will be remembered for his contribution in the amendment of the constitution that paved way for the re-introduction of multi-party democracy.
Few country’s will experience the honor of birth to such a resilient son. At a time when a handful stood up to be counted, he faced unspeakable difficulties in the pursuit of the freedoms we enjoy to date.
I have drawn a lot of inspiration from his style of politics in my life, that of courage in articulating Issues that affect the lives of the people I represent.
May his courage serve as an example to us all, and may his life guide revolutionaries for years to come. He was true soldier of the struggle.
On behalf of my family and Mombasa County, I join his family and the nation in mourning a true hero of the Republic, the late Matiba. I pray to the Almighty God to grant his family the strength to come to terms with the profound loss.
You have gone but your spirt lives with us."
Several of Mombasa residents and Joho followers also conveyed their tributes saying:
Ali Ly
Am wondering if the children if today know who Matiba is and what he through so that they can have freedom of speaking on social platforms
Joel Matee
If our mourning of Kenneth Matiba is to be meaningful, Kenyans ought to agree that we will never allow anyone to be harassed, arrested, deported or their business harmed bec of politics ... If not, then our mourning is as hypocritical as of the mourners of Winnie Mandela.#RIPmatiba
Sam Thiga
Papa Matiba, your tormentors are here with us, and you never told us what to do with them when they start crying the loudest and sending colourful messages of condolence.Give us a signal, papa.#RIPMatiba
Bernard Onchieku
Our hero k m u have fought the good fight u have finished the race u have kept the faith we still remember our hero rip
Winnie Matengo
Rip... We have lost the father of democracy... But your legacy lives on.. The father of our motherland.. Go in peace