By John Ikani
Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Wilfred Gisuka Machage, died yesterday in Abuja.
Machage, 65, was said to have collapsed at his Abuja residence on Saturday, after which he was rushed to the hospital.
According to agency reports, the deceased envoy’s twin brother, Sospeter Magita, who is also a former Kenya Ambassador to Russia revealed on the phone that Gisuka died after taking lunch.
Magita said his brother, Gisuka had enjoyed relatively good health, but lamented that: “It is a very sad moment that I have today lost my best friend and confidant.”
He further revealed that his brother died while in the company of his wife whom he had been living together with in Nigeria.
Also confirming Machage’s death, Kenya’s ministry of foreign affairs released a statement noting that: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs regrets to announce the sudden death of Hon Dr. Ambassador Wilfred Machage, Kenya High Commissioner to Nigeria, which occurred today.
“Ambassador Machage collapsed at home and was pronounced dead at [the] hospital shortly thereafter at around 12.30pm this afternoon in Abuja, Nigeria. His wife was with him when this unfortunate incident happened.”
Machage, a former senator, was appointed as ambassador by President Uhuru Kenyatta in January 2018.
He was first elected into Parliament in 2002, representing Kuria constituency. He was re-elected in 2007 on a Democratic Party ticket.
Machage also served as Migori County Senator from 2013-2017.
He had previously held the East African Community Affairs docket as cabinet minister and Assistant Minister of Home Affairs in the Office of the Vice President.
