A section of Murang’a leaders have eulogized the late Charles Wanyoike Rubia as a fearless leader who championed for multiparty democracy in the country.
Led by Governor Mwangi wa Iria, the leaders said the County has lost a leader who not only played major part in political scene but also in the business.
Rubia, aged 96, met his death while a sleep on Monday mid-day at his home in Karen, Nairobi County.
In his message of condolence, Wa Iria said Rubia was an illustrious son of Murang’a who selflessly participated in second liberation of the country.
“It is with profound grief that I come to terms with the death of one of Kenya’s second liberation and multi-party democracy champion and iconic Nairobi City’s first African Mayor Mr Charles Rubia,” stated Wa Iria in his condolence message.
He said Rubia’s determination was a source of inspiration to the current generations and generations to come.
“May his revolutionary courage, resilience, ideals and inspiration live on to light our ways as the people of Kenya,” Wa Iria further eulogized Rubia.
Senator Irungu Kang’ata said Murang’a people and the country at large lost a leader who hugely contributed to attainment of wider democracy in the country.
Kang’ata observed that when the late was Nairobi’s mayor, he helped many residents of Murang’a to invest in the city.
Kang’ata has been lawyer for Rubia in his petition seeking Sh. 40 billion as compensation of torture and illegal detention during KANU’s era.
Murang’a County Woman Representative, Sabina Chege, termed the death of Rubia as a big blow to Murang’a and the whole country at large.
“Charles Rubia was an icon and trailblazer in Kenya’s multi-party democracy, astute leader and a true patriot,” stated Ms.Chege in her condolence message.
Murang’a County Assembly speaker, Nduati Kariuki, eulogized Rubia, saying he distinguished himself as the first African Mayor of Nairobi city.
“He was also one of the African pioneers of business in sectors not previously available for Africans,” Stated Kariuki.
He said the late fought tough political battles that eventually saw him becoming MP for Starehe and thereafter a Cabinet Minister.
“But Rubia is perhaps better known as a fearless fighter for truth and justice, and risked his life and property to insist on truth on the murder of late J. M Kariuki MP for Nyandarua and later got himself detained for fighting for multi-party democracy together with Kenneth Matiba,” added the Speaker.
Kenyans will remember the late as being one of the champions who fought for multi-partism in late 1980s.
In 1992, he teamed up with the late Kenneth Matiba in FORD Asili party where they emerged second in the General Elections.
A section of Murang’a residents admired Rubia for his simple life despite having invested largely in various sectors.
The late Rubia used to drive himself from his home in Langata daily to his farm at Kariguini village in Murang’a, including over the weekends before his passing on.
Those who were close to him said the late politician was friendly, humble and mingled freely with ordinary people from his village, adding that Rubia was an ardent worker to the last day.
By Bernard Munyao
