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{
    "id": 1279089,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1279089/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 146,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Hon. Members, it is with profound sorrow that I report to the House, the passing on of one of Kenya’s founding national leaders who was also a long serving Member of the National Assembly, Hon. James Charles Nakhwanga Osogo. The late Hon. Osogo passed away on 15th August 2023 at the age of 91 years at the Aga Khan Hospital, Kisumu where he has been receiving treatment after a series of illness. The late Hon. Osogo, was a second born in a family of ten, born on 10th October 1932 in Bukani village in the then Bunyala District. He attended Port Victoria Primary School from 1941 to 1943 before proceeding to St. Mary's Secondary School, Yala from 1944 to 1949. He later attended Railways Training Institute, Nairobi from 1950 to 1951 and thereafter, proceeded to Kagumo Teachers College, where he trained as a teacher. His insatiable thirst for education pushed him to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce Degree at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. The late Hon. Osogo’s political consciousness was aroused when he was a student at St. Mary’s School, Yala and later at the East African Railways and Harbours Institute. He then developed passion for trade union activities that were spearheaded by Kenya’s fiery trade unionists against brutal and repressive imperialist treatment of Africans. Hon. Members, Hon. Osogo joined Kagumo Teachers College where he honed his leadership skills and developed deeper appreciation of national leadership, including awareness of the activities of the Mau Mau movement in the struggle for Kenya’s independence. After graduating from Kagumo Teachers College, the late Hon. Osogo continued with political agitation. Indeed, at a youthful age of 24 years, while serving as a teacher at Sigalame Intermediate School, he was a Councillor in the Nyanza African District Council. Hon. Members, his national political career started in 1963 when he was elected Member of House of Representatives for Ruambwa Constituency, now part of Budalang’i and Funyula constituencies. The late Hon. Osogo was among the Members who were appointed to Kenya’s first Cabinet in 1964 at Independence. He first served as an Assistant Minister for Agriculture until 1966 when he was elevated to become the Minister for Information and Broadcasting from 1966 to 1969. He later held various ministerial portfolios including the Minister for Commerce and Industry from 1969 to 1973; Minister for Agriculture in 1970; Minister for Local Government from 1973 to 1974, and Minister for Health in 1974. The late Hon. Osogo was also the Deputy Leader of Government Business in 1978. He was the last surviving members of the Cabinet of the founding President, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. That fact is not true. There is Nathan Munoko who is still living and was also in that Cabinet. Hon. Members, the late Hon. Osogo will be remembered for his leadership standards and promoting ethics. He was a respected and visionary public servant, uncompromising and an astute thinker whose service to the community was unmatched. His ascent to national politics and stellar political career will forever serve as an inspiration to many current and future leaders. Hon. Members, on your behalf and that of the entire Parliamentary fraternity, and indeed on behalf of the people of Kenya, I convey our heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Hon. James Osogo, the people of Busia, all his relatives and friends for losing such a gallant national leader. Finally, in honour of the dedicated service rendered by the late Hon. James Osogo to the nation, the National Assembly, and the people of the then Busia South Constituency, I request that we all stand to observe a moment of silence."
}