Michuki final send off

Former Environment minister John Michuki is buried at his Kangema home.

Speakers at the funeral service led by President Kibaki paid tribute to the late Michuki describing him as "hardworking and resolute".

Thousands of Kenyans joined President Kibaki, former President Moi, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, House Speaker Kenneth Marende, ministers, diplomats and MPs in giving a fitting farewell to the late Kangema MP.

The ceremony was led by Catholic Bishop Peter Kariu and was held at the General Kago Stadium in Kangema.

Mr Michuki died of a heart attack last Tuesday at the age of 80.

Below are excerpts of the funeral service.

The late Michuki will be interred at his Kangema home where only close family and a few dignitaries will witness the sombre event.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 4:05 

The pallbearers carry the casket bearing the late Michuki's remains as the procession begins the final journey.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 4:04 

Final prayers.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 4:01 

Mourners are urged to plant a tree in honour of the late John Michuki.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 4:00 

The procession to the late Michuki's home will be led by the Clergy. The rest of the mourners will join the family once the cortege reaches Mr Michuki's final resting place.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:57 

Mr Kagwe requests that the family be allowed to bury the late Michuki due to limited space at the site. Only the President and a few dignitaries will get to attend.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:54 

He thanks the family for sticking together and for their courage.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:50 

Mr Michuki thanks the provincial administration for their role especially coordinating logistics.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:50 

He thanks the late Michuki's doctors for taking god care of their ailing father.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:49 

He thanks the clergy for leading today's funeral service; the President and the PM fro support during a trying time for the family. Mr Musyoka, Speaker Marende and MPs for condoling with them.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:47 

Mr Kagwe invites Martin Michuki to say vote of thanks on behalf of the Michuki's family.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:43 

The Head of State urges the Clergy to pray for Kenyans and to continue guiding their flock.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:38 

President Kibaki: Let us remain committed and focused leaders.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:36 

He says Kenyans should emulate the late minister's ways. Michuki was a principled man.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:31 

President Kibaki: I am confident the family will stay together.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:29 

President Kibaki: Michuki's family was united behind the late minister and he drew strength from it.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:28 

President Kibaki is invited to address the gathering.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:26 

Odinga: Let us plant trees countrywide in honour of the late Michuki.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:25 

Odinga: Michuki was steadfast in his fight to conserve forests and water towers.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:23 

Odinga: I worked with Michuki when he was transport minister and he is credited with bringing sanity to the matatu industry.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:21 

Prime Minister Raila Odinga says Michuki was among a crop of leaders who fought for democracy in Kenya.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:20 

Musyoka: Michuki fought for the environment and was a forthright leader.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:16 

VP Musyoka says Mr Miichuki's dedication to duty is an example of how Kenyans should apply themselves.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:14 

Mr Moi urges Kenyans to live together peaceably as brothers and sisters.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:10 

Michuki's discipline and management style enabled him to create jobs for Kenyans, eulogises Moi.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:06 

Moi: Mr Michuki remained a personal friend until his demise.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:04 

Moi: Michuki was a courageous man who performed his duties with rare zeal.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:03 

Former President Moi is called to address the mourners. He says he is sadenned by Michuki's death.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 3:01 

South Sudan Culture minister delivers President Salva Kiir's condolence message.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 2:55 

Marende: Michuki was a keen and avid debater in Parliament. Kenyans should emulate him.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 2:52 

House Speaker Kenneth Marende consoles Michuki's family on behalf of MPs even as he introduces those present.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 2:49 

Mudavadi says his message is short. To Michuki- fare thee well.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 2:47 

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi introduces ministers present including Paul Otuoma, Moses Wetangula, John Munyes, Fred Gumo, Kiraitu Murungi, Esther Murugi.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 2:46 

Mrs Kamar served as Michuki's assistant. She says her working relationship with the late MP was fruitful.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 2:40 

Minister Margaret Kamar condoles the Michuki family and the Kangema people.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 2:37 

He says the late Michuki was a hardworking minister.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 2:30 

Environment assistant minister Ramadhan Kajembe says Mr Michuki was a mentor and he learnt new things from him on an almost daily basis.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 2:25 

Kenyatta: Michuki served all Kenyans.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 2:22 

Mr Kenyatta says the late Michuki was a hero and a father-figure.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 2:20 

Njoroge Mutahi and Nyawira Mutahi will speak on behalf of the late Michuki's grandchildren. They pay tribute to their grandfather.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 2:14 

Munga: Mr Michuki was a true patriot of this country.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 2:10 

Peter Munga is another of the late Michuki's friend.  He says Mr Michuki was a role model to many.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 2:07 

John Wanyeki, Michuki's friend and businessman, says the late minister was a shrewd businessman who helped uplit the lives of his constituents.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 1:59 

Elizabeth Njoki is invited to speak. She is the Kangema women representative. She elects to speak in Kikuyu.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 1:52 

He says Mr Michuki loathed lies and his leadership qualities were evident early in life.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 1:50 

Charles Maina, Michuki's friend, recounts his relationship with the late MP.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 1:47 

He says Mr Michuki's death is a great loss to his family and the community. The Bishop says the late minister was a role model.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 1:41 

Bishop Michael Michuki is invited to speak on behalf of the late Michuki's family.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 1:40 

Mr Kagwe, who will coordinate the ceremony, asks speakers to be precise.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 1:39 

The Clergy continue eulogising the late Mr Michuki. It is now the turn of Bishop Korir from Eldoret.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 1:32 

ACK Archbishop Eluid Wabukala gives his condolence message.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 1:27 

Bishop Korir blesses the late Michuki's remains

Tuesday February 28, 2012 1:20 

The burial service is drawing to a close as attention turns to last-minute preparations at Mr Michuki's Kangema home where he will be interred.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 1:14 

The family of the late Michuki are consoled by President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Mr Musyoka, former president Moi among other leaders.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 1:01 

Bishop Kairu prays God to accept gifts and offerings from those gathered.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 12:48 

The choir belts out a dirge as a pensive President Kibaki looks on.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 12:39 

The Bishops lead the congregation in prayers

Tuesday February 28, 2012 12:30 

The Bishop says Michuki was a man of honour and integrity.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 12:20 

Bishop Kairu delivers his message. He says God has given Michuki ten more years to live

Tuesday February 28, 2012 12:20 

Mr Michuki was a resolute and efficient public servant, says Prof Kanyari.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 12:07 

Prof Paul Kanyari delivers the late Kangema MP's eulogy in English.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 12:00 

Mr Gathuri describes the late Michuki as a hardworking person as he enumerates his schooling life.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 11:45 

Former MP Mutahi Kagwe calls a family member to read out Mr Michuki's eulogy in Kikuyu.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 11:43 

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta delivers the second reading.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 11:36 

The area chief reads from the Bible

Tuesday February 28, 2012 11:30 

The congregation stands for prayers to be followed by scripture readings.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 11:27 

The ceremony starts with prayers for Mr Michuki's family.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 11:17 

President Kibaki takes his seat as the clergy also assume their positions.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 11:17 

The choir leads the crowd in a rendition of The Saints Go Marching In

Tuesday February 28, 2012 11:11 

A choir sings a dirge as we await the start of Mr Michuki's funeral service.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 11:04 

President Kibaki arrives and is received by Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 10:54 

Thousands continue to flock the General Kago Stadium where the funeral service is taking place.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 10:53 

As Environment minister, Mr Michuki led efforts to reclaim the polluted Nairobi River.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 10:52 

He was serving his fourth term as Kangema MP.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 10:41 

Mr Michuki was born in 1932 at Muguru Village, Iyego Location, Kangema Division in Murang’a County.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 10:41 

Mr Michuki will be best remembered for streamlining the matatu sector by imposing tough regulations for owners and crews, popularly known as the Michuki Rules.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 10:40 

The casket is draped with the national flag as Mr Michuki's widow Josephine and her children arrive.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 10:38 

The casket bearing the remains of the late Michuki has been wheeled-in as the ceremony gets underway.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 10:35 

Cabinet ministers, MPs, diplomats and Kenyans from all walks of life have arrived for the burial.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 10:34 

The government announced that at least 300 police officers will be deployed around Kangema during the burial to ensure the security of President Kibaki and other dignitaries as well as control traffic.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 10:32 

A huge crowd has gathered at the late minister's home ready to give him a fitting send off.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 10:29 

On Monday, a requiem mass was was held at the Consolata Shrine in Nairobi ahead of his burial today.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 10:28 

Kenyan leaders paid tribute to the late Kangema with President Kibaki descrbing him as "a dear friend, colleague and patriot".

Tuesday February 28, 2012 10:27 

Mr Michuki died of a heart attack on Tuesday last week at the age of 80. He was taken ill on Sunday morning two days after returning from a London Hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment since December.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 10:24 

Former Environment minister John Michuki will be laid to rest today at his Kangema home.

Tuesday February 28, 2012 10:21