MPs’ tribute to dedicated leader

• Flags to fly at half mast for three days, as leaders join Kenyans in mourning minister

MPs on Wednesday adjourned Parliamentary business twice to pay tribute to Environment Minister John Michuki, who died of a heart attack on Tuesday evening. (READ: Michuki dead at 80)

The House first interrupted business in the morning and again in the afternoon when MPs described Mr Michuki as an action oriented leader and a national hero.

President Kibaki on Wednesday directed that flags fly at half mast for three days, starting Thursday.

At the Unep governing council meeting in Nairobi’s Gigiri suburb, delegates observed a minute’s silence in honour of Mr Michuki.

Later in the evening Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Speaker Kenneth Marende and a number of MPs visited the family at Ridgeways, Nairobi.

The family announced that Mr Michuki will be buried at his Kangema home in Muranga county on Tuesday. Memorial mass will be celebrated at the Consolata shrine in Westlands while daily prayers will be conducted at his Windsor Golf and Country Club.

Former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta and Deputy PM Uhuru Kenyatta were among family and friends who viewed the body at the Lee Funeral Home, Nairobi.

Speaking on behalf of MPs at Mr Michuki’s home, Mr Musyoka said Mr Michuki was an “astute public officer” who had shown exemplary leadership skills throughout his career as a civil servant, businessman and later as a politician.

He praised Mr Michuki as a principled man who always defended what he believed in.

“He would stand for what he believed in and never ashamedly,” said the VP.

Mr Marende mourned the late Michuki saying “the country had lost a true, dedicated and hard working leader who should be emulated”.

“It is a sad moment for this country at large. We have lost a true and dedicated leader, with true personality who undertook his work with the seriousness that was required,” said the Speaker.

Terming Mr Michuki as one whose service to the country was “exceptional”, the Speaker added that the House had “lost a diligent minister and MP who did his work with zeal both in the House and Ministry”.

The deceased, he added, was a stickler to rules of the House and helped shape debate on various issues.

Mr Marende described Mr Michuki’s efforts to streamline the public transport industry as exemplary.

Culture Minister William Ntimama said he consulted closely with Mr Michuki on Cabinet affairs.

Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau said he was one of the best performing ministers in Kibaki’s administration. “If you wanted to know how principled a person can be, you don’t have to look far, just his way,” he said.

Kisumu Town West MP Olago Aluoch said there is a lot MPs can learn from the late Minister.