The late former Kibra Member of Parliament (MP) Ken Okoth has received a donation valued at Ksh57 million (USD500,000) from a person whose identity has not been established.
An initiative launched in the US to honour the late celebrated MP received millions from an anonymous person appreciating his impact and keep his memory alive.
The plans to honour Okoth were hatched by St Lawrence University based in the US. They created a project under Laurentian Initiative dubbed Ken Okoth 01 Black American Music.
According to the Univesity President Kathryn Morris, the fallen MP left a legacy at the institution which to date is still inspiring black students in the US and all over the world.
"This gift is a wonderful way to support the goals of the Black Laurentian Initiative, celebrate the important role of Black music in our cultural heritage and history and honour the memory and impact of a beloved member of our community.
The project will highlight Black Music history and people who performed different genres that were later popularised all the world through visual displays, lectures, seminars and even live performances," Morris stated.
The former Kibra MP was affiliated to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) led by Raila Odinga and was a member of the class of 2001 at St Lawrence University.
The new multi-million project now aims at keeping his memory alive by detailing his journey in Kenya before he secured a scholarship and travelled to the US.
His legacy in the US will be remembered through the music he composed and his time as a member of the Singing Saints and the Laurentian Singers.
Other than music, Ken is revered for his leadership role serving as the Board of Trustees for St Lawrence University.
In Kenya, he was also recognised as a visionary leader of the entire Kibera Community by connecting them to educational opportunities and proposing new policies.
He, however, died in July 2019 after a long battle with cancer. His brother, Imran Okoth who vied on the ODM ticket clinched the seat in a highly contested by-election where he defeated Jubilee's McDonald Mariga.
