Late MP Deng Goc. (Photo: Courtesy).

A lawmaker representing Renk County of Upper Nile state in the national parliament Deng Goc passed away on December 16 in Nairobi after a short illness, his family said.

He was 58 years old.

Kak Lank, a family member, said in an interview with Eye Radio – that the legislator was recently admitted to hospital for treatment in Nairobi after he was diagnosed to suffer from high blood pressure.

Mr. Lank said preparations are ongoing to bring the deceased MP’s remains home from the Kenyan capital for burial.

“Yes, his death is true. His blood pressure rose without warning because he had no previous history of high blood pressure or diabetes,” he said.

“It was a surprise to us as a family, but this is God’s will that he should leave at a young age. The loss for us is a great and profound loss. May God have mercy on him.”

Late Goc is survived by several sons and daughters. He served as a national member of parliament since 2005 after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement untill his death.

His family members are gathered at his house in Nyakuron West near to Morobo Clinic.

He is the fourth lawmaker to die of illness in a month after the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Mary Nawai said on Friday three legislators had recently died, as she raised urgent concerns at a cabinet meeting regarding the welfare of lawmakers.

In her presentation, Mary Nawai highlighted the urgent need for better accommodation and healthcare services for MPs, pointing to the troubling frequency of legislators dying from health-related issues.

She stressed the importance of addressing these challenges, particularly the critical health concerns, and called for special consideration to improve MPs’ well-being.