Yatta's coup linked MP dies at 91
By Gastone Valusi
and Agencies
Former MP for Yatta Constituency in Machakos Gideon Mutiso has died at the age of 91 . He was born in 1932 and was the longest-serving Yatta MP, having been elected four times.
Mutiso’s death was announced by his family who said he died while undergoing treatment at the MP Shah Hospital, Nairobi on Wednesday.
“We, the Mutiso family wish to confirm the passing on of our patriarch on April 26, 2023, while undergoing treatment at the MP Shah Hospital," the family statement reads in part.
The family said they request prayers, support and privacy during this trying period saying that the updates on the funeral arrangements will be announced as soon as possible.
Mutiso was first elected to Parliament in 1963 on the African Peoples Party(APP) ticket. He was re–elected to office in 1969, 1988 and 1992 on a Kanu ticket, where he served until 1997. He also served as an Assistant Minister in the ministries of Home Affairs, Education, Health, Agriculture, Lands and Housing.
Mutiso was jailed in 1971 after he was arrested, tried and convicted over a coup plot to topple Kenya's First President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. He served 9 years and six months in jail before he returned to the political fold to reclaim his seat in 1988. On September 25,1971, through Kenya Gazette Notice number 2126, the Supervisor of Elections announced a by-election to replace Mr Mutiso. " If 'the Parliamentary election is contested the poll will take place on the 25th day of September,1971. Dated this 5th day'of August,1971- N.J. MONTGOMERY-SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS"
It appears there was no contest in the election. On September 21, 1971, Mr Montgomery published another Gazette Notice " PURSUANT to regulation 54 (2) (c) of the Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Regulations, 1969,the Supervisor of Election hereby notifies that the person named below has been elected as a Member of the National Assembly for the Constituency shown...Constituency- Yatta. Name: Simeon Kitheka Kiilu. Dated this21st day of September,1971 N. J. MONTGOMERY ,Supervisor of Elections"
Mutiso was initially in the Army but quit in protest to brutalities inflicted on locals by uniformed people. This marked his nature in politics- he was a n ardent believer in the rights of those he considered down-trodden, leading to his joining the trade union movement when he formed the Cables and Wireless African Workers Union that he affiliated to the Kenya Federation of Labour headed by Joseph Thomas Mboya as Secretary General.
Mutiso was one of the most independent MPs in Ukambani and was a strong ally of Independence Hero Paul Ngei through out his political life. Mutiso, former Mbooni MP Konzollo Munyao, the late Justice Kasanga Mulwa( when he was Makueni MP), the late Iveti South MP Jonesmus Kikuyu, veteran politician Francis Kalinzoya and Kibauni politician Musembi Katuku were high ranking players in this alliance against Ngei's initial opponent in Kamba politics Mbolu Malu.
He suffered a disturbed marital life, marying at leat two times before settling with Pauline Mutiso
Yatta is one of the eight constituencies in Machakos county.
