Former East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Abubakar Zein Abubakar is dead.
Abubakar, who also served as the Head of the Wiper Party Presidential Secretariat and Campaign, died on Thursday at Avenue Hospital in Nairobi. The cause of his death had not been made public by the time of publication.
His death comes just hours after the country woke up to news of the passing of veteran educator Daniel Oluoch, the elder brother of Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, marking another day of mourning for the country.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka led tributes, describing Abubakar as a loyal and dedicated leader who played a key role in the party’s activities.
In 2024, Kalonzo appointed Abubakar to head his Presidential Secretariat ahead of the 2027 General Election, praising his leadership and years of political experience.
Before joining the secretariat, Abubakar served in the East African Legislative Assembly between 2012 and 2022, where he represented Kenya in the regional parliament and contributed to debates on regional integration, governance and constitutional affairs.
ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale was among the first leaders to mourn him.
“Rest in peace, Mheshimiwa Abubakar Zein. A good man has rested. A man of few words with a great smile,” Etale said.
Leaders from across the political divide are expected to continue paying tribute to the former legislator, who was widely known for keeping a low profile despite his active role in national and regional politics.
His death is a major blow to the Wiper Party, where he had been entrusted with coordinating the Presidential Secretariat as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 General Election.
