Former EALA legislator Abubakar Zein dies after illness
NAMLEF Chairman Abdullahi Abdi described Zein as a pillar of the Muslim Ummah who devoted his life to serving the community.
Former East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) member Abubakar Zein has died.
Zein breathed his last on Thursday morning, July 9, while receiving treatment at Avenue Hospital in Nairobi after battling multiple health complications.
He had been admitted to the hospital for nearly a month, suffering from a combination of illnesses, including respiratory complications.
Zein served as a member of the East African Legislative Assembly from 2012 to 2022, where he played an active role in advancing regional integration within the East African Community.
A gifted orator and seasoned public servant, he was a vocal advocate for greater Muslim participation in national politics. Throughout his career, he championed peacebuilding, human rights, good governance and public policy reforms.
During Kenya's constitutional reform process, Zein served as a commissioner in the People's Commission of Kenya, popularly known as the Ufungamano Initiative, which made significant contributions to the national debate that shaped the country's constitutional review process.
He later served as a commissioner with the now-defunct Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (CKRC), where he strongly advocated for the protection of Muslim interests during the drafting of the new constitutional framework.
The former legislator also served as Executive Director of Uraia Trust, leading civic education and governance programmes aimed at strengthening constitutional awareness and citizen participation across the country. He also served as Executive Director of Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI), where he championed human rights and social justice.
Zein is widely remembered as a distinguished legislator, constitutional reform advocate and respected public servant whose career spanned regional politics, governance, civic education and human rights advocacy.
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Tributes poured in from leaders, colleagues and members of the Muslim community following news of his death.
National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) Chairman Abdullahi Abdi described Zein as a pillar of the Muslim Ummah who devoted his life to serving the community.
"For decades, our dear brother Abubakar Zein has been a pillar of the Muslim Ummah. He has stood for us, served us diligently, and dedicated his life to the upliftment of our community," he said.
Renowned educationist Fatuma Saman also paid tribute, offering prayers for the deceased.
"Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. May Allah forgive him, be generous to him, make his grave spacious, grant him a better abode and admit him into Jannah. Indeed, it is our duty to pray for him. May Allah make it easy," she said.
At the time of his death, Zein's medical expenses had accumulated to approximately Sh6.5 million.
To help offset the hospital bill, NAMLEF had established a dedicated medical fundraising account through M-Pesa Paybill number 342342, Account Number 123123.
"My appeal to all of us is to contribute towards settling the hospital bill to allow for his burial at the earliest opportunity," Abdullahi said.
Before his passing, civil society organisations, friends and supporters had organised a fundraising drive scheduled for Saturday at Alliance Française in Nairobi to help raise funds for his medical treatment.
