Charles Rubia, the gallant son from Kandara, Murang’a County has died aged 96.
Born in 1923, Rubia’s name is synonymous with administrative visibility at the city of Nairobi where he served as the 1st African Mayor.
Rubia would join Parliament as Member of Parliament for Starehe representing the consituency from 1969 to 1988.
1987 marked his direct entry into the agitation of political pluralism.
In February 1987, he was arrested and accused of importing guns to overthrow the government and was detained at Nyayo House for five days before being released without being arraigned in court.
In March 1990, alongside Kenneth Njindo Matiba, he once more faced judicial travesty after getting jailed for 9 months, without trial.
These experiences informed Rubia’s choice to sue the government for various forms of damages.
Rubia sought 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.
Charles Rubia served in the mayoral, legislative and ministerial positions in an active political career spanning at least four decades. At the time of his death, Charles Wanyoike Rubia, was serving as the Chair, Murang’a Eminent Person.
Murang’a University had recently awarded him with a Doctor of Letters’ (Honoris Causa) for his leadership service to humanity.
