Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan is dead.

Reports reaching Pulselive.co.ke indicate that Kofi Annan died on Saturday while in Switzerland, after a short illness.

"It is with immense sadness that the Annan family and the Kofi Annan Foundation announce that Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Laureate, passed away peacefully on Saturday 18th August after a short illness. His wife Nane and their children Ama, Kojo and Nina were by his side during his last days," read a statement from the Annan family.

The family further requested for privacy as they mourn the former UN Secretary General.

"The family kindly requests privacy at this time of mourning. Arrangements to celebrate his remarkable life will be announced later," read another part of the statement.

Kofi Annan will be remembered as the man who brought together retired President Mwai Kibaki and Opposition leader Raila Odinga after the much disputed 2007 General election that led to the 2007/2008 post election that led to thousands of Kenyans loosing lives and property.