By NATION Correspondent 

Mr Mugalla

Veteran trade unionist Joseph Mugalla died yesterday.

The former Central Organisation of Trade Unions secretary general was being treated for complications of the kidney at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. 

Mr Mugalla, 68, served as Cotu boss for 10 years until 2001, when he declined to seek re-election. He was also former MP for Ikolomani.

His son, Felix, who announced the death, said Mr Mugalla was being treated at the hospital's private wing where he was admitted on Wednesday. He died at 5am.

His widow, Gladys Khatonde, said he had suffered from the ailment since 1998.

The Vice-President and minister for Home Affairs, Mr Moody Awori, condoled the family and said Mr Mugalla would be remembered for his high quality leadership in the labour movement and as MP.

Mr Mugalla was elected Ikolomani MP in 1997, and lost the seat to Narc's Bonny Khalwale last year.

He was appointed an assistant minister for Education by former President Moi, last October, shortly before the Eighth Parliament was dissolved to give way to the General Election.

His elevation was to fill one of the three vacancies created by the resignations of Education assistant ministers Orwa Ojodeh, Mathew Adams Karauri and Mr Awori to join the Rainbow Alliance.

He was admitted to Nairobi Hospital in November, after collapsing at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, where he had gone to collect his nomination papers to defend the Ikolomani seat. He is survived by Gladys Khatonde and 11 children.

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