Minister tough but friendly, say workers

Mr Michuki’s workers received news of his death with shock and disbelief.

Mr Philip Imbaya, who has served Mr Michuki as a cook at his Kangema home for the last 24 years, said he learnt of his death through the radio at around 11pm.

However, he only came to believe that the worst had happened when he heard more announcements from several radio stations.

A manager at the minister’s fuel station in Kangema, Mr Joseph Maina, said that although the former minister was tough, he was friendly.

The minister, Mr Maina said would refer to his workers by name and would always be there for them whenever they needed his assistance.

Mr Michuki, he added, would visit Kangema every two weeks except last December when his health started failing.

Mr Maina says he recently spoke to the minister by telephone, adding that he wanted to know the status of a road being repaired in the constituency.

Mr Peter Kabui, a former councillor who is also Mr Michuki’s nephew, said he had known the minister since childhood.

“I have known him as a people’s person who wished everyone well and was interested in good deeds,” he said.

A former personal assistant to the minister and now district commissioner, Mr George Natembeya, described Mr Michuki as a workaholic strict with time but above all dedicated and passionate.

“He was one of the most hard-working ministers and was dedicated to any cause that he was assigned by the President.

“He was also a stickler for time. I can’t believe he is dead,” said Mr Natembeya who is now the Murang’a East DC.

Live forever

Kikuyu Council of Elders chairman Wachira Kiago said the minister was a hero, whose remarkable service and contribution to the nation would live forever.

When the Nation visited his Kangema home, there was not much activity except for three workers cleaning the compound and an Administration Police officer guarding the home.