A former Kenya Defence Forces commandant, Maj-General Duncan Kireri Wachira (Rtd) (pictured) is dead.

Wachira who served as the Kenya Air Force commandant between 1989 and 1994 died on October 22 at Nairobi Hospital where he has been undergoing treatment. He has been in and out of the hospital for the last few years.

According to Margaret Wakonyo Kereri who’s said to have lived with Wachira as a second wife, the ex-military man has been at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit for the last three months.

She said the old man had been suffering from hypertension and diabetes.

Born on October 23, 1945 in Mahiga location, Othaya in Nyeri County, Wachira was to celebrate his 76th birthday today on October 23, a day after his death,

Children from his first wife have been embroiled in a legal tussle with Margaret, whom they do not recognise as their stepmother, over their father’s custody.

They petitioned the High Court to be granted the custody of their ailing father who according to court documents, has been living with Margaret for the last 11 years as husband and wife.

Wachira had even transferred some of his property to Margaret, who his sons Michael Wanjohi and Edward Thiong’o, say they only recognise as their father’s house help.

The matter is still before the High Court in Nairobi.