Former MP Silas Muriuki Dies

Former North Imenti Member of Parliament (MP), Silas Muriuki, has died.

Muriuki passed away on Wednesday, September 6 while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Nairobi, with reports indicating that he died following a spirited battle with an illness yet to be disclosed.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi became the first government official to announce Muriuki's death, mourning him as a diligent man whose loss will be greatly felt.

"I’ve received with sadness the news of the demise of my former colleague in the National Assembly and former North Imenti MP Hon Silas Muriuki who passed on today. 

Former North Imenti MP Hon Silas Muriuki who died on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. /THE STAR

"The passing on of Hon. Muriuki is a big loss not only to his family, relatives, and close friends but also to the people of  North Imenti and the nation which he served diligently," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter)

Linturi further prayed "May God give the family strength and fortitude at this moment of mourning. May his soul rest in eternal peace."

Friends of the former MP expressed their prayers and sympathies to Muriuki's family, with legislators, some of whom served together with Muriuki during his tenure as an MP, further coming through with their condolence messages.

"To the people of North Imenti, Meru County at large, friends and family of Former Imenti North Member of Parliament Hon. Silas Muriuki Ruteere and the Methodist Church in Kenya, we mourn a legend who served the community diligently," Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua said.

Muriuki was the sole representative of the Mazingira Green Party of Kenya and represented the North Imenti constituency. 

Prior to becoming an MP, Muriuki worked as a teacher and was the head teacher of a school for the deaf.

Muriuki joined Mazingira Green from the Jubilee Party, revealing that his decision was informed by the suspicion that the Jubilee nominations would not be fair.

 “I have consulted with the electorate and it has been resolved that I move from Jubilee to Mazingira Party, where I am assured of a direct nomination,” he announced six years ago.

He served as North Imenti MP from 2007 to 2013, during which he worked closely with former President Mwai Kibaki. 

He however lost his seat in the 2013 and 2017 General Election to Abdul Rahim Dawood, who is the current sitting MP of Imenti North.