Governor Fernandes Barasa of Kakamega is mourning his father-in-law, Mzee Gallicano Martini Kassilly.
Kassilly died on the evening of Friday, September 27.
In a communique on Saturday, the county boss revealed the old man breathed his last at his native home in Kabuchai, Bungoma county.
The deceased is the father of Professor Janet Kassilly Barasa, the wife of the Kakamega county chief.
"I received the profoundly distressing news of the passing on of Mzee Gallicano Martin Kassilly Ndongole. He hails from the Kabuchai sub-county, Bungoma County. Mzee Kassilly was the father to Prof. Janet Kassilly Barasa, our County First Lady," said Barasa.
Read More
In an obit message posted on X, the county boss eulogised the deceased as a mentor and dependable figure who successfully moulded those under him to success.
Barasa appreciated the sacrifices the deceased undertook to educate his children to the highest levels possible.
A case in point is her daughter, the wife of the governor, who acquired professorship status.
"He relished his role as a father and grandfather. His vision for his family saw him make ultimate sacrifices to enable his children to access quality education. He was a role model to many who aspired for progress," the governor said.
At this difficult time of grief, I wish to encourage the family and friends of the late Mzee Kassilly to find comfort in the positive memories of the life we shared. On behalf of my Government and the people of Kakamega, I convey my sincerest condolences to the bereaved family," he added.
This came two years into the death of Governor Barasa's mother.
It was on October 20, 2022, when Mama Philomena Barasa Mama Philomena breathed her last minutes after her arrival at the Kakamega County General Hospital, where she had been admitted to be treated after a bout of an undisclosed illness.
She was laid to rest on October 31 in her native home in the Mumias sub-county.
