Kenya is mourning a great Constitutional lawyer SC Phillip Nzamba Kitonga who played key role in drafting the 2010 constitution.
Soon after his death was confirmed, Kenyan Canada exiled lawyer Miguna Miguna had alleged the someone might have silenced the Senior counsel in what he says is CJ Maraga’s succession scheme.
Jomo Kenyatta (Kamau wa Ngengi) – despot Uhuru Kenyatta's looting and murderous father – got rid of Kenya's first Chief Justice, Kitili Maluki Mwendwa, in 1971 so that he could impose a colonialist, James Wicks, as Chief Justice because Wicks would serve the Mafia loyally.
— Dr. Miguna Miguna (@MigunaMiguna) October 24, 2020
According to the family of the later Senior Counsel, Dr Kitonga succumbed to cardiac arrest on Saturday evening.
A senior government official said quoting the family that the late kicked the bucket at the age of 64.
“He is dead. He suffered cardiac arrest,” the official said.
Chief Justice David Maraga sent his condolences via his verified Twitter account.
I have learnt with great sadness about the demise of Senior Counsel Nzamba Kitonga, one of Kenya's most distinguished legal practitioners and a key pillar in the country’s constitutional journey. May God give his family the fortitude to bear this heavy loss. pic.twitter.com/DwUrTxRu9G
— David Maraga (@dkmaraga) October 24, 2020
Deputy President has also mourned the senior mind in Kenya’s legal fraternity.
A man of gregarious personality, Senior Counsel Kitonga was modest yet a gifted and far-sighted leader who was genuinely committed to public service and social justice. We will remember most his resolute belief to pursue what is right.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) October 24, 2020
Kitonga’s death is a big blow to the legal fraternity and the country, coming at a time the document he helped craft is being subjected to a review under the Building Bridges Initiative jointly spearheaded by President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The ODM chief mourned him via a tweet. RAO send his condolence messages on Saturday night.
His death is an irreparable loss to our quest to improve on our 2010 Constitution where he served as chair of Committee of Experts.
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) October 24, 2020
Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi led the legal fraternity in mourning Kitonga.
The BBI report due to be formally unveiled to the public on Monday, October 26, has substantial changes altering the governance model adopted under the 2010 constitution.
SC Nzamba died ventilating the current proposed amendments touching on the Judiciary.
Speaking in June 2020, the Kitui-born lawyer and politician called for the restructuring of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) by removing the Attorney General from its membership.
“The AG seats on the JSC and is part of the decision-making process, but after making those decisions, he goes and misadvises the President,” Kitonga said while referring to President Kenyatta’s refusal to appoint 41 JSC-recommended nominee judges.
