Veteran Mombasa based actor Gilbert 'Gillie' Owino is dead.

Gilbert famous for his role as 'Mzee Msiri' in the popular locally produced TV drama series 'Pete' died on Friday afternoon. He was aged 63.

Speaking to Ommy Dallah, Pete producer Daudi Anguka revealed tha the late actor had been suffering from Liver cancer.

"It's just last month that it was discovered he had Liver cancer and the doctors told us that it was at stage four. The doctors even told us that he only had like six months to live" said Anguka.

Adding" He has been receiving treatment but things got worse this morning, we rushed him to Premier hospital but were advised to take him to Coast general hospital which has the equipements for treatment. He died at Coast general as we were preparing to take him to the ward".

Anguka also revealed that the late actor had already started shooting some of the scenes from Pete.

"He always insisted on shooting even when he was not feeling well. He had already shot like 30 episodes out of the 260 episodes".

Anguka termed the death as a big loss to the local film industry.

Gillie was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, Sanaa Theatre Awards in 2018 due to the contribution he has made in the arts. He has staged many plays in Mombasa’s Little Theatre Club and Kenya National Theatre in Nairobi.