Michuki a man of his word, says Kibaki

President Kibaki on Monday led family, friends, Cabinet and parliamentary colleagues in a requiem mass in honour of the life of John Michuki ahead of the burial at his Kangema home on Tuesday.

The head of state urged leaders to emulate the values that Mr Michuki, who was Environment and Natural Resources minister, upheld both in his public and private life.

“Throughout his life, Hon Michuki committed himself to the principles and values of honesty, consistency and discipline,” he said at the four-hour service presided over by John Cardinal Njue at the Consolata Shrine in Westlands, Nairobi.

At a personal level, President Kibaki said he had lost a good friend of many years.

“He was a man whose opinion I valued all the years, and I could always rely on,” he said.

The head of state said Mr Michuki always kept his word. “When he made a commitment, he ensured that he followed it to the best of his ability,” he added.

Cabinet colleagues

Mr Michuki’s casket, covered with the national flag, was carried into Consolata shrine by his Cabinet colleagues led by Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi.

Others who carried the casket were Cabinet ministers Amos Kimunya, Sam Ongeri, Franklin Bett, Noah Wekesa, Abdi Kuti, Dalmas Otieno and Kiraitu Murungi, and former Speaker of the National Assembly Mr Francis Ole Kaparo.

Family members led by his eldest daughter Anne Mutahi and his grandson Kagwe Mutahi eulogised Michuki as a mentor who always found time to spend with them.

“Guka (grandfather) was kind enough that we were able to spend time with him, to ask him about anything, to grill him and to debate with him. He listened and talked to us,” said his grandson.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Mr Michuki was a pioneer in many aspects of national life, where he demonstrated efficiency.