Salasya in Mourning After Death of Elder and Counsel, Mzee John Sembe

Nairobi, Kenya — September 22, 2025, 19:00 EAT.

Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya is mourning the passing of his close ally and mentor, Mzee John Sembe. Salasya described him as a figure of dignity and intelligence, and credited him as a moral guide in his personal and political life.

The Latest

• On the morning of Monday, September 22, Salasya posted on X (formerly Twitter):

  “This sad morning, I have lost my close friend, my elder and counsel, Mzee John Sembe. Mzee Sembe has been my cornerstone elder … He believed in my leadership as a young person …”

• According to that same statement, Sembe supported Salasya in his political journey from early days, offering counsel, wisdom and encouragement—even walking to vote in support of Salasya during elections. 

Context & Background

• Peter Salasya is known for being vocal on political issues, particularly youth leadership, regional equity, and governance. Having strong elders or mentors often plays an important role in Kenyan politics in guiding not just policy but demeanor and personal conduct.

• The passing of a respected elder is often seen in many Kenyan communities as not just a personal loss but a communal one, given elders’ roles as mediators, counsellors, repositories of local history, and moral compasses.

Voices & Reactions

• Peter Salasya: He expressed deep sorrow, noting that Sembe was more than just an adviser—he was someone who grounded him in difficult times, corrected him when needed, and believed in him when not many others did. 

• Community & Public: At this stage, there are no detailed public statements from other political figures, but social media shows sympathy from constituents and followers of Salasya, many recalling Sembe’s calm presence and mentorship.

Risks & Implications

• Political & Personal Void: Sembe’s death may leave a void in Salasya’s immediate support circle—in both personal mentorship and community connection. Qualities such as wisdom and guidance are hard to replace.

• Public Expectation: Constituents may expect Salasya to articulate how he will carry forward the values Sembe stood for, especially in matters of leadership, integrity, and community focus.

• Sympathy Surge: In the short term, this may strengthen Salasya’s standing among supporters who value his loyalty to elders and traditional ties.

What We Don’t Know Yet

• The cause of Sembe’s death, details of his funeral (date, location, who will officiate), and whether there will be any public memorial service.

• More biographical detail about Mzee John Sembe: his history, roles in community, whether he held formal or informal leadership positions.

• Whether Salasya will announce any initiatives or legacies in honour of Sembe.

Timeline

What to Watch

• Salasya’s schedule around the funeral and whether he will use the platform to outline lessons from Sembe’s mentorship.

• Public and political figure tributes: whether elders, religious figures, or political leaders will comment.

• Whether this prompts discussion in Mom East or wider region about preserving mentorship structures in politics (i.e. respecting elders, guiding young leaders).

Editor’s Note: Based on Salasya’s own public post and currently available sources. More details will be added as the family or community issues official announcements.

Corrections: None at publication.