Kenyan Multi-Party Hero Charles Rubia Dies at Age 96

Former Starehe Member of Parliament and multi-party crusader Charles Rubia is dead.

Rubia, who was the first African Mayor of Nairobi, passed away on Monday at his home in Nairobi’s Karen Estate aged 96.

Rubia, a former political detainee, served as MP for Starehe from 1969 to 1988. He was arrested in February 1987 over allegations of importing firearms to overthrow the government and was released without being charged after being detained for five days at the infamous Nyayo House chambers.

In March 1990, Rubia was again detained for one year by retired President Daniel Arap Moi alongside Kenneth Matiba for calling for multi-party democracy.

In July this year, Rubia sued the State demanding KSh.40 billion in compensation for illegal detention and torture. In court documents, Rubia said was blindfolded and driven in circles, denied access to a lawyer, kept in dark underground cells, stripped half-naked and made to lie on a cold floor during his detention. He also stated that he was denied food and water for many days as well as medical treatment.

“Thereafter, he underwent vigorous and prolonged treatment in Kenya and London. Despite this, the petitioner was left with severe disabilities in his speech among others … To date, the petitioner continues to receive treatment and shall continue to do so for the rest of his life,” read court documents.

The compensation he demanded included KSh.5 billion for general damages, KSh.5 billion for exemplary and moral damages, KSh.20 billion for all medical and related costs and KSh.10 billion for any other relief. He also sought KSh.40 million for special damages and KSh.150 million for loss of businesses, calculated with interest as from May 1991 to date of payment.