The country is mourning the passing of Patrick Paddy Ahenda, Kenya's Ambassador to Qatar in Doha. The Head of State has eulogised the envoy as a dedicated and committed diplomat who was keen on deepening Kenya’s relations with Qatar and the Arab world. During his tenure as an envoy in Doha, he facilitated the significant rise in the number of Kenyans working in different fields in Qatar from 25,000 to over 30,000.

Confirming his demise on Monday, April 4, his family noted that the ambassador passed away while receiving treatment at a hospital in Doha, Qatar. He had suffered a stroke when he was taken ill.

Prior to his appointment to Qatar, Ahenda had served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Kabondo Kasipul between 2005 and 2007 after the death of his predecessor Peter Owidi. President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Ahenda to serve as the head of the High Commission in Qatar in October 2018 following a rigorous vetting process in Parliament.

Ahenda's demise comes barely two months after the death of Kenya's High Commissioner to Nigeria Dr. Wilfred Machage.The former Migori Senator and who also served as an Assistant Minister passed away in Nigeria in mid-February aged 65 years. He died after having lunch and the family was distraught as he was in good health.