Nairobi Rivers Commission Commissioner John Kioli Dies

Nairobi Rivers Commission (NRC) Commissioner John Kioli Kalua has died after suffering a sudden asthma attack. 

In a statement on Monday, September 28, his family said Kioli was going about his usual activities in Nairobi CBD when he suffered the attack.  

His brother, Dr. Isaac Kalua Green, said Kioli sought assistance from people who were nearby as efforts were made to get him an inhaler.

However, efforts to revive Kioli did not bear fruit, with medical personnel who arrived to attend to him unable to save his life.

Green said the family was left devastated by his sudden death and appealed to Kenyans to support them through prayers.

"Today he woke up very comfortable, doing his business, his usual business. John was asthmatic, and it was a situation that was very well managed all through. As he was going on with his business, he had an attack, and he called the people who were nearest to try and save him by getting him an inhaler.

"By the time they could come back, he was gone. The family humbly requests the country to pray with us," he told the press.

Kioli was the Executive Director of the Green Africa Foundation and also served as the chairperson of the Kenya Climate Change Working Group.

The Nairobi Rivers Commission, where Kioli served as a commissioner, confirmed his death and mourned his passing.

The commission said Kioli’s death was sudden and unexpected, while sending condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

"It is with heavy hearts that we share with you the sad news of the sudden and unexpected passing of our colleague, Commissioner John Kioli. 

"Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers, especially at this very difficult time. May his soul rest in eternal peace," the Commission said.

Meanwhile, University of Eldoret (UoE) Vice-Chancellor in charge of Planning, Research and Extension, Prof. Phillip Okoth Raburu, has died.

Raburu's death was confirmed on Monday, with family and members of the university community mourning his passing.

Willis Owino-Ong’or, who described Raburu as his first cousin, said the professor died at 4.30 am at Eldoret Hospital after a battle with illness.

"It's a sad morning for me. I have lost my first cousin, son of my aunt, my brother in Christ and friend Prof Philip Raburu this morning at 4.30 am in Eldoret Hospital. He fought gallantly, but God saw it fit to take him," he wrote.

Owino-Ong’or said Raburu had appeared to anticipate his death a day earlier, recalling words he repeatedly used while receiving care.

"Yesterday he kept saying he wanted to go 'home,' but we didn't understand him. He knew. May God comfort his wife Elizabeth, children Jessie, Eugene, Steve and Joy, plus the extended families," he added.