Former Alego Usonga Member of Parliament (MP) Otieno Mak’onyango has died while undergoing treatment at Nairobi Hospital.
Mak’onyango, who represented the Siaya County constituency from 1992 to 1997, passed away on the night of Sunday, October 25, according to an announcement by his successor, Samuel Atandi.
In a statement mourning the veteran politician, Atandi said Alego Usonga had lost a former leader whose contributions would remain part of the constituency’s political history for years to come.
"We have this evening lost Hon. Otieno Makonyango, the fourth Member of Parliament for Alego Usonga Constituency, who served from 1992 to 1997, while undergoing treatment at a Nairobi hospital," Atandi stated.
"Alego Usonga has lost a former leader whose name will remain part of the constituency’s political history. May God comfort his family, friends, and the people of Alego Usonga during this difficult time," he added.
Reports indicate that Mak’onyango suffered a stroke on October 3, 2026, and was initially admitted to a hospital in Ngong Town, where he received treatment in the High Dependency Unit (HDU).
He was later transferred to Nairobi Hospital as his condition required further medical attention.
Following his hospitalisation, an appeal was launched to raise funds to help his family cover the increasing costs of his treatment and hospital care.
Beyond his political career, Mak’onyango was a seasoned journalist who played a significant role in Kenya’s second liberation struggle, a period marked by campaigns for political freedoms and democratic reforms.
Before entering Parliament, he worked as a journalist at The Standard newspaper. However, the attempted military coup of August 1982 dramatically altered his life after he was arrested and accused of involvement in the failed overthrow of the government.
He subsequently spent years in detention without trial under the administration of the late President Daniel arap Moi.
Mak’onyango was detained alongside several other political prisoners, including the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, as the government intensified its crackdown on perceived opponents.
Years after his release, the former legislator pursued legal action against the government over his detention, seeking redress for the violations he said he had suffered.
In 2003, he sued the Moi administration, with the High Court eventually awarding him Ksh20 million in June 2012 over violations of his rights.
However, reports later suggested that he never received the compensation despite the court ruling in his favour. His struggles reportedly continued long after leaving public office.
In December 2023, The Standard reported that Mak’onyango was living in Kibiko, Kajiado County, where he was battling poor health and financial difficulties.
The report also raised questions about the fate of the Ksh20 million compensation awarded to him, with the circumstances surrounding the payment remaining unclear.
His death marks the end of a life that spanned journalism, political activism and elective leadership, during which he experienced both the challenges of political detention and the responsibilities of representing Alego Usonga in Parliament.
