Vihiga County is in mourning after its secretary, Ezekiel Ayiego, collapsed in his house and died.
Ayiego collapsed when he returned home after work in the county.
A post-mortem is set to be conducted on his body to establish the cause of death.
The Council of Governors (CoG) has since sent a message of condolences to Governor Wilbur Ottichilo, family, friends, relatives and community members of Vihiga County.
“It is with deep sadness we have learnt of the untimely demise of Ezekiel Ayiego, County Secretary and Head of Public Service, Vihiga County,” CoG chair Ahmed Abdullahi said in a statement.
“With heavy hearts, we extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, friends, and the people of Vihiga.”
Abdullahi said the CoG will remember Ayiego as a great administrator, a passionate educator and a committed public servant who was an agent of change.
“His contributions to the County Secretaries Forum will forever be cherished,” he said.
“On behalf of the Council of Governors and the 47 County Governments, please accept our earnest thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
Ottichilo said it was with deep sadness that he learned of the passing of Ayiego.
“Ayiego, who unexpectedly passed away last night at his residence, was a committed administrator, educator, change advocate, and a dear friend to me and many others. He served as a highly efficient county secretary in my administration, where we diligently collaborated to reform the Vihiga County Public Service,” he said.
Makadara MP George Aladwa said the sudden by the death of the Vihiga county secretary shocked him.
“The county has lost a dedicated, hardworking, and committed leader and servant. I condole with the family and governor Ottichilo,” he said.
The chairman of the Kenya Secondary's Heads Associations (KSSHA) Indimuli Kahi said Ayiego was a renowned teacher of high repute and rich management history in the teaching fraternity.
“Prior to his appointment as the Vihiga county secretary, he served as the KESSHA assistant national organising secretary, a role he served with a lot of commitment and diligence,” Indimuli added.
