Slain boda boda gets heroic send-off in Tharaka

Locals carry the casket bearing remains of Josphat Mwenda in Nthaara, Tharaka Nithi County during his burial. PHOTO | LUCAS BARASA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Although he came from a humble background Mr Mwenda's death transformed him into a VIP as a convoy of vehicles escorted his cortege from Consolata Nkubu Hospital mortuary.
  • Mr Mwenda together with his lawyer Willie Mwangi and taxi driver Joseph Muiruri were kidnapped on June 23 while coming from Mavoko law courts and their bodies found at Oldonyo Sabuk River on July 2.

Slain boda boda operator Josphat Mwenda was given a heroic high profile send off on Monday, contradicting the life he lived that saw him drop out of school in Form Two due to lack of fees.

Hundreds of mourners from across the world attended Mr Mwenda's funeral in Nthaara, Tharaka Nithi County.

The mourners from as far as the US and high profile politicians brought life to an otherwise sleepy Nthaara village.

Although he came from a humble background Mr Mwenda's death transformed him into a VIP as a convoy of vehicles escorted his cortege from Consolata Nkubu Hospital mortuary.

The road to his resting place was freshly gravelled due to local MP Alex Mwiru’s intervention, easing access by motorists some of whom were caught unawares by the rough terrain in Tharaka constituency.

Most of the mourners from outside Tharaka Nithi arrived in fuel guzzlers bringing business in the village to a standstill.

Some of the mourners wore T-Shirts and carried banners inscribed "Stop police executions."

Mr Mwenda together with his lawyer Willie Mwangi and taxi driver Joseph Muiruri were kidnapped on June 23 while coming from Mavoko law courts and their bodies found at Oldonyo Sabuk River on July 2.

Four police officers have been arrested and charged in court in connection of the deaths that have sparked local and international outcry.

Mr Mwangi and Mr Muiruri's remains were interred on Saturday.

On Monday, Mr Mwenda received a stylish send-off despite coming from humble background.

Having been educated by relatives after his mother died, Mr Mwenda opted to move to Nairobi after dropping out of school in Form Two due to lack of fees to try his luck in boda boda business.

The mud-walled houses in his family's compound and its environs was an indication of life the father of three lived.

In fact due to the remoteness of Nthaara village, a chopper carrying MPs Moses Kuria, Muthomi Njuki, Stephen Kariuki and Kimani Ichungwa landed in a nearby bush before they strolled to the funeral.

His dark coffin with metallic gloves looked magnificent.

Apart from the MPs a number of dignitaries, lawyers, human rights defenders and other leaders attended Mwenda’s final journey with the MC's stating all Kenyans and local and international media were in attendance.

There were emotional scenes at his coffin as close family of Mwenda who had two wives gathered to say goodbye.

Grief also struck the mourners as speakers told of the suffering Mr Mwenda and the two others underwent following torture and crashing of their private parts.

Human rights activists led by Kamau Mucheke and boda boda operators released a rendition condemning police killings as grief engulfed the mourners. They also carried the casket to the grave singing anti-police brutality songs.

They said Mwenda and his colleagues’ lives were snatched by the devil and they would not rest until the murderers are punished.

They said there was increased killings of boda boda operators by police seeking for Sh50 bribes.

They said the slain operators were leaving behind young families.