All set for Maathai’s official funeral rites
Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai, who fought to protect Uhuru Park will be at the recreation site for the last time on Saturday.
Official rites for Prof Maathai will be held at the grounds before her body is cremated at the Kariokor crematorium.
According to a Green Belt Movement, funeral arrangements will begin with a private service at the Lee Funeral Home.
According to the programme, there will be inter-faith Prayers at Freedom Corner, Uhuru Park beginning 8 am.
The cortege will leave Lee Funeral Home an hour later for Freedom Corner through Valley Road.
Internal Security PS Francis Kimemia has urged the public to line up on the route to bid farewell to the Nobel Laureate.
Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua told the Nation Prof Maathai’s funeral will be “something similar to that of (former Vice-President Kijana) Wamalwa. (READ: Maathai funeral to match that of VP Wamalwa)
But Mr Kimemia has ruled out the gun salute that goes with such events.
Family spokesperson Vertistine Mbaya asked Kenyans to join in the Uhuru Park ceremony, as other parts of the programme will be private.
President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga are expected to attend the Uhuru Park ceremony.
Prof Maathai’s family will plant an Olea Africana (African olive) tree during the ceremony.
Prof Maathai had expressed her wish to be cremated and “her remains interred within the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies” at the University of Nairobi’s Kabete campus.
A public memorial service, in her honour will be held at the Holy Family Minor Basilica and another one at her mother’s homestead, in Ihithe village, Nyeri County.
