Retired Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) Reverend Dr. John Gatu has passed on.
Gatu died on Thursday evening at a hospital in Nairobi while undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness aged 91.
The outspoken reverend will be remembered for criticising the government on corruption and championing for democracy and human rights.
He fell out with former President Jomo Kenyatta due to his sermons against voter bribery, misuse of public funds and other matters of national interest.
The deceased, together with other PCEA clergy, are said to have declined to take a secret oath administered by the Kenyatta administration which saw his family subjected to alleged harassment.
In an explosive biography "Fanning the Flame" released last year, Gatu spilt the beans on Mau Mau oathing ceremonies in which he implicated the late President.
In the book, he told of an elaborate scheme by Kenyatta which saw many forced to take oaths to unify the Gikuyu community against Jaramogi Odinga who was seen as a common threat in 1969.
Gatu revealed how his wife and children were kidnapped by state agencies and forced to take the oaths which in his opinion, set Kenya on the path to destruction.
The clergy was an astute statesman who played a role in the creation of South Sudan by crafting the Sudan Peace Agreement and reconciling the army, the church, the community and the rebel movement.
In the aftermath of the post-election violence of 2007-2008, Gatu convened a body made of the retired and current clergy to promote peace in the country.
The reverend also served as the chairperson of the Bible Society of Kenya.
[caption caption="Rev Gatu with former president Moi"]
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