Tears flow as Michuki is laid to rest in Kangema

By FRANCIS NGIGE and MOSES NJAGIH

The late John Michuki was lowered to his grave on same date, month and just few minutes to that hour four years ago when President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga signed a historic power-sharing deal.

The moment was 4:43pm, and so somber and bare of politics was the final moment that even Kibaki and Raila just stood by like other Cabinet members and watched as kin of the late Environment minister and his closest friends lowered the body to its final resting place.

Michuki was buried in his Kangema home, escorted by a blanket of grief spread over the road from Nairobi, far away from the capital’s noise pollution and the madness of the busy roads he fought so hard to end in his tenure in Cabinet. And in his final journey capping two days of ceremony – requiem Mass and final rites –Michuki got the final gift from his bosom friend, President Kibaki, by way of a 21-gun salute.

With the burst of fire and the deafening roar, the only time the tranquil and serene calm around his remains was disturbed, Michuki who left behind the lingering phrase of ‘rattling a snake’ and ‘juggling the liver’, was buried amid powerful eulogies by his friends and political rivals.

Courageous man

Even as his body went down, there was little in the air about that sad moment in Kenya after the shambolic elections in 2007, when as Internal Security minister, Michuki declared war on Kibaki’s opponents, strangled live coverage, wore the meanest of faces, and dropped the sternest of warnings to ensure power did not slip out of the hands of his choice for State House.

Like past burials for prominent personalities where former foes stood by the graveside and hailed them as worthy adversaries and men of honour, and so retired President Moi, Raila and Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, joined him in his last journey.

Moi described Michuki as "a courageous man, who performed his duties with rare zeal, fairness and thorough perfection".

He added: "Politics aside, Michuki remained a personal friend with whom we shared a lot since his days as DC, his stint as a Permanent Secretary, and when he served as an Assistant Minister in my Government."

Trusted patron

Kibaki, who oddly did not share parties with Michuki in the 1992 and 1997 elections when he ran for State House but nonetheless remained one of Michuki’s closest confidants, brought his children just like he did at the requiem Mass on Monday in Nairobi.

When he spoke, and having lost Michuki and another generational friend, Njenga Karume, even before he buried the Kangema MP who was the first to die, President Kibaki bluntly talked of the mortality of man.

Said the man who buries Karume, his trusted patron and friend in the Democratic Party of the 1990s: "Tell (Michuki) we are on the same road, we are following his footsteps." He then asked the congregation on the inevitability and acceptance of death: "Or where do you think you will go?"

"He knew what was expected of him. He did not change his mind or position on whatever he believed. He did not fall victim to influences from other people," said Kibaki.

"The Mau issue was a hot potato that no one dared touch, it but Michuki stood by me as we started the reclamation of the water tower," recounted Raila.

The burial itself was symbolic for its lack of floral tribute and the overwhelming presence of security personnel. Even in death guns ringed him, another reminder of the furious war he fought with members of the proscribed Mungiki sect. The gang was at one time blamed for the bullets fired at his Kangema home.

Indeed in his last years in Cabinet, probably a sign of the many souls he rattled with his forthright way of speaking and brutal efficiency with which he executed the tasks he believed in, Michuki was one of the most heavily guarded public servants, complete with chase cars and back-up armed escort.

They escorted and spoke at his final journey but when it was time to lay late John Michuki to rest, politicians stepped aside and close friends and family members took over. [Photos: George Mulala]

Easy-going manner

Yet he lived life in a relaxed and easy-going manner, until he died of a terminal illness, you would never know the fears security chiefs had for him.

The send-off turned into a celebration of Michuki’s chequered career at the upper ranks of Government, apex of business, and industry, and rumble and tumble of politics.

As legendary was his humour in public life, so were the speeches and anecdotes dropped a few feet from flag-draped coffin bearing his remains.

Lingering around the air was the question of the day: Who would take up his place in Kangema constituency, which he has represented for 20 consecutive years, and Cabinet where he sat for nine successive years.

There were also questions on how his vast financial and property empire, that includes the exquisite Windsor Country Hotel and Golf Club, and a host of prime city buildings, as well as first-rate agricultural plantations, would operate without the firm grip of his hand and penny-wise heart.

Kibaki, who maintained he had lost a close friend in Michuki’s death, was emotional and had to be supported by Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta back to his seat after the symbolic return of the soil in the grave.

Michuki’s widow Mama Josephine Watiri and their children remained composed during the service, but emotions appeared to overcome them when the casket was eventually lowered to the grave.

As was contained in his wish, no flowers were laid on his grave. Instead, a total of 10,000 seedlings were distributed to mourners for planting in the memory of the lover of environmental conservation.

Just as it was at the Consolata Shrine on Monday, where the requiem Mass was held, mourners who thronged General Kago Stadium were agreed Michuki left an indelible mark in the hearts he touched and places he worked.

From Kibaki to Moi, Raila and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, it was apparent that Michuki had left some footprints they recommended Kenyans to follow if they want a fulfilling, prosperous, and trouble-free life.

Apart from bringing together political adversaries, the burial provided an opportunity for those who worked with the minister a platform to share with mourners their experiences.

Nyeri Catholic Archbishop Peter Kairo led the final service assisted by Murang’a Catholic Bishop James Wainaina and his Eldoret counterpart Bishop Cornelius Korir.

There were also tributes from top clerics led by Anglican primate Eliud Wabukala and Presbyterian moderator David Gathanju and AIPCA’s Evanson Ndung’u.

Besides tributes from the local leaders, there was also a message from the President of South Sudan Silva Kiir, delivered by his Sports Minister Iteng Ofufo.

Written speech

The same sense of loss was shared by members of the business community from Murang’a, through tributes delivered by Equity Bank Chairman Peter Munga and a representative from Rwathia Group of Companies founded by Michuki, John Muchiri Wanyeki.

The President, who put aside his written speech, described Michuki as a family man and urged his family to remain united and follow the Michuki legacy.