The passing on of Migori Senator Ben Okello on Tuesday morning comes months after social media users speculated his death.

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Already, leaders from across the political divide have hailed Okello as a dedicated peacemaker and 'man of the people' perhaps traits he earned during his days in the media.

"I have lost a personal friend and a colleague. He was easy going and a type to work with," recalled former Nyamira Women Rep Alice Chae.

ODM treasurer Timothy Bosire said: "It is sad that we have lost such a committed party member. I came to know him when I was arbitrating nomination crisis on governorship in Migori last year."

Family spokesperson Mark Okundi said the first term lawmaker died at MP Shah following a long battle with throat cancer.

But before his death, social media had been awash with speculative information on his illiness with some even claiming he had died.

"Before he flew to India, he even contemplated suing some social media users who had widely speculated his death around March this year," said Walter Oguda, the Migori Senate Communication Director.

He becomes the third legislator to succumb to cancer after Grace Kipchoim (Baring South) and Francis Nyenze (Mwingi South) in a span of six months.

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