Former Kitui West MP the late Francis Mwanzia Nyenze. [Photo|kenya-today.com]
Former Kitui West Member of Parliament the late Francis Nyenze had contracted pneumonia during the campaigns for the August 8 general election, a close relative has revealed.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, a brother-in-law of Nyenze's, said the late legislator was battling colon cancer which had caused his lungs to weaken.
"He has been in and out of hospital for the past 10 years, had really improved but during the campaigns he contracted pneumonia, which exposed his lungs," Wambua said speaking on behalf of the family.
Nyenze passed on at Nairobi Hospital, yesterday morning.
He was first diagnosed with cancer in 2007 but lost the battle the age of 60.
"At first, he was treated and it was okay. It came back in 2013 and, from that time, he has really fought," said his wife, Edith Nyenze.
Wambua said the MP's demise was a major blow to the family.
"I visited him (at the hospital) on Tuesday and he said he would be strong. So, when the call came this morning that he had left us, it was a shock for all of us," the Senator said.
The deceased body is lying at the Lee Funeral Home, Nairobi. He will be buried at a date that is yet to be announced.