Former State House gardener David Kalua dies at 83
Former State House gardener David Kalua who died at the age of 83. Bishop Kalua, a former prison officer was President Daniel Moi's florist for more than 10 years.
What you need to know:
- Mzee Kalua's first born son, renowned environmentalist Dr Isaac Kalua, says their father suffered a heart attack.
- Mzee Kalua was the founding Bishop of St Stephen’s Ministry in Kitui County and also served as a lay leader and reverend of the ACK Church.
Bishop David Kalua, a former State House chief gardener, who served under the late former President Daniel arap Moi, is dead.
The former prison warden was President Moi’s aide for more than 10 years.
During that period, his main responsibility was to ensure the lapel of Head of State suits were adorned with a fresh rose every day.
The late president was famed for his love for roses and would always appear in public wearing designer suits with a fresh rose on the lapel.
According to family members, Bishop Kalua died on Friday morning while undergoing treatment at Mater Hospital.
His first born son, renowned environmentalist Dr Isaac Kalua, said his father suffered a heart attack. He was aged 83.
Heart attack
Dr Kalua, the chairman of Green Africa Foundation, said the Bishop was admitted at Mater Hospital for a week after developing heart complications.
“The doctors fitted him with a pacemaker which was working well but unfortunately he suffered a heart attack this morning and sadly died,” Dr Kalua said.
Bishop Kalua also had the responsibility of ensuring all the country’s State Houses and State Lodges were properly landscaped, with well-manicured lawns, and maintaining a vegetable garden for President Moi.
Bishop Kalua was the founding Bishop of St Stephen’s Ministry in Kitui County and also served as a lay leader and reverend of the Anglican Church of Kenya.
Bishop Kalua leaves behind a wife, Deborah Kalua, four children; Isaac Kalua, John Kioli (chairman Kenya Planet Change Working Group and Executive Director Green Africa Foundation), Julia Kalua-Hicks (An American based hotelier) and Ann Ndinda Shivo (MD Teule Limited) and seven grandchildren.
He started his career at the prison service before he was moved to State House as superintendent of gardens at State Houses and Lodges.
