Kisumu East Member of Parliament Shakeel Shabbir has joined other leaders in morning the late Ndolo Ayah who died at the age of 84.
Speaking with the writer on phone, Mr Shabbir said that Kisumu has lost one of the greatest politicians to ever serve as a leader in the Moi Regime.
"Politically, he was a leader who welcomed all in his home. Though he was stooge KANU supporter, he had no discrimination when it came to the regional politics,” said Shabbir.
Mr Shabbir says he mourns him as a Luo leader who shaped the political landscape of Nyanza region.
“I knew Ndolo Ayah as a reasonable and a well-educated person who was in the service of all regardless of your political affiliation. He was somebody I knew as a personal and family friend, “said the MP.
Ndolo Aya until his demise was a household name not only in Kitambo village in Kisumu County where he hails from but in Kenya as a whole. He served in different capacities as a minister in the Moi government.
He was first elected to Parliament in the General Election of December 1969 as MP Kisumu Rural Constituency.
He lost in 1974, but was elected MP in the neighbouring Kisumu Town Constituency in 1983.
For the 1988 elections he switched constituencies with the late Dr. Robert Ouko, becoming once again MP for Kisumu Rural until 1992. He served as a nominated Member of Parliament from 1992-1997 when he retired from elective politics.
He is survived by a widow and one son.