Wife of Veteran Minister Dies

The wife of veteran minister Achieng Oneko, Mama Loyce Anyango, is dead.

Loyce was 78-year-old by the time of her death. She was the second wife to Achieng who served as Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Tourism in Jomo Kenyatta’s government.

Achieng would later quit the Kenyatta’s government in 1966 and join Jaramogi Odinga Oginga Kenya People’s Union.

Loice Anyango, the late Achieng Oneko at her home in Rarieda subcounty [Photo, Courtesy]
Achieng won the Nakuru Town Constituency Seat in 1963 and was also elected as MP for Rarieda Constituency in 1992.

He died of a heart attack aged 87 in 2007 at his home in Rarieda, Siaya County.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga sent a condolence message to the family of the Achieng.

He tweeted: My Condolences to the family of the late Achieng Oneko on the passing on of Mama Loyce Anyango. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May her soul Rest In Eternal Peace.


Achieng is remembered as one of the Kapenguria six detainees. The other five include Founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Bildad Kaggia, Kung’u Karumba, Fred Kubai and Paul Ngei.

The Kapenguria Six from left: Paul Ngei, Fred Kubai, Jomo Kenyatta, Achieng Oneko, Kungu Karumba and Bildad Kagia [Photo, Courtesy]
The six Kenyan nationalists were arrested in 1952 by the colonial government in the wake of the Mau Mau uprising and imprisoned in Kapenguria, in the current West Pokot County.

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