Charles Rubia: Nairobi’s first mayor dies

Nairobi Charles Rubia Dead

Nairobi's first mayor Charles Rubia (pictured) is dead. He died aged 94 at his Karen home in Nairobi.

Rubia was detained with the late Kenneth Matiba during the quest for multiparty democracy in the 1990s.

He was the first African mayor of Nairobi. Rubia later joined Parliament, where he rose to the cabinet.

In 1990, together with Matiba, Rubia led the calls for multi-party democracy and was subsequently detained.

He was released from detention after one year, and has been in poor health since.

He was an MP from Starehe Constituency in Nairobi from 1969 to 1988.

In July 2018, University of Murang'a announced it would be honouring the former Mayor with a Bachelor of letters for his good work.