Veteran politician John Keen is dead

Veteran politician John Keen is dead.

Keen died on Christmas day at the Aga Khan hospital while undergoing treatment. He was 90.

His son Anthony Keen told The Star online that Keen was admitted to hospital on Wednesday.

“Mzee passed away early this morning(Sunday) at the Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi while undergoing treatment,” Anthony.

Anthony, who is also a politician, said funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Keen once served as assistant minister during the reign of President Daniel arap Moi in the 1980s.

The Maasai politician served as Kajiado North MP from 1969 to 1979 under Kanu before falling out with Moi over the majimbo issue.

He later joined former president Mwai Kibaki and formed the Democratic Party where he served as Secretary General.

Keen was recently in the news when the High Court rejected an attempt to subject him to a DNA test in a paternity case.

High Court judge Mumbi Ngugi ruled that Ruby Kimani, 35, did not establish any biological relations with Keen.

Keen, according to family members, has been ailing for quite sometime but was able to manage his properties in Karen and Namanga, where he has more than 1,500 camels and cattle.

Kajiado South MP Katoo Ole Metito was the first to break the news of Keen’s demise. He said the cruel hand of death had snatched a close friend and his political mentor.

Others who sent their condolences to the bereaved family included former assistant minister David Sankori, Kajiado politician Oliver Seki and governor David Nkedianye

"I have received news of the death of former Assistant Minister John Keen with profound shock and regret," Deputy President William Ruto posted on Twitter.

"The ODM family mourns John Keen; one of the true founders of our nation. With men like Keen, democracy flourished here for a time," the party posted on Twitter.

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