Former Bomachoge Chache MP Simon Ogari has passed away. He died on Tuesday morning at his Karen home following a long illness at the age of 68.
Ogari served as the Transport Assistant Minister in the Grand Coalition government. He was elected as Bomachoge MP in a 2009 by-election on the ODM ticket, defeating the late Joel Onyancha. In 2010, Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga appointed Ogari as an Assistant Minister for Trade, and he later served as Assistant Minister of Information and Communications from 2012 to 2013.
In the 2013 general election, Ogari was re-elected as the first MP for the newly created Bomachoge Chache under the 2010 Constitution. He was a member of the ODM party but lost his seat to Alpha Miruka in the 2017 general election.
Ogari graduated from the University of Nairobi in 1980 with a Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying.
Following his death, leaders from the Gusii region expressed their condolences. Nominated Senator Essy Okenyuri described Ogari as a “remarkable leader who served his constituents with commitment and dedication,” adding, “He touched many hearts throughout his life leading with profound humility. His legacy will remain with us for a long time to come.”
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, who served with Ogari in the 10th and 11th Parliaments, called him a “polite, kind and selfless man who was simple to a fault,” and extended his condolences to Ogari’s family and the people of Bomachoge and Kisii County.
