Goodbye Professor Saitoti

A sea of humanity descended on Kitengela on Saturday as thousands of people from all walks of life turned up for the burial of Internal Security minister Prof George Saitoti at his Enkasiti home.

The final send-off ceremony was held at the late minister’s expansive farm, just opposite his palatial home, drawing the who’s who in government, politics, business and diplomatic circles.

The spruced up grounds were filled to near capacity by mourners who began streaming in as early as 6 o’clock in the morning for what would remain one of the biggest burial ceremonies in Kenya in recent times.

They crammed into huge tents spanning nearly 500 metres long and 100 metres wide, while many more who did not get seats just stood outside under the scorching sun to follow the proceedings.

A giant television screen was mounted for those far off to follow the goings-on. Twenty ministers and more than 90 members of parliament attended the burial. Two ministers from Tanzania and South Sudan were also present.

Tanzania’s Home Affairs minister Emmanuel Nchimbi read a message on behalf of President Jakaya Kikwete who said the passing of Prof Saitoti was a loss to integration efforts in the East African Community.

Beamed live on television to the homes of millions of Kenyans, it was a befitting send-off for a man eulogised by the speakers as a legend, a hero and a nationalist who worked and campaigned tirelessly for peace and a united country.

Prof Saitoti died in an helicopter crash in Kibiku area of Ngong forest on Sunday morning, June 10, while en route to Homa Bay district for a church service and a funds drive.

He perished alongside his host and assistant minister Orwa Ojode, their two pilots and two bodyguards. (READ: Kenyan ministers killed in chopper crash)

Ironically, and according to some of his neighbours in Kitengela, the funeral was conducted on grounds that the minister had indicated he would want to one day build a private airstrip.

It was also not lost on the mourners that the helicopter crash happened in his Kajiado North constituency.

A tight security cordon was thrown around the area, with everyone coming in, except the VIPs who entered through a different gate, undergoing thorough screening by police officers lining the field with metal detectors.

Vehicles were packed in rows at a distance from the main dais and guarded around the clock by the General Service Unit and National Youth Service personnel who were called in to lend a hand in crowd control.

Hawk eyed security officers, some with sniffer dogs, arrested scores of trouble makers, including an unidentified man who was found with several rolls of bhang in a suitcase.

He told the police the bhang was for an unspecified demonstration and that he was only in the area to attend the burial.

The function was meticulously planned, with all essential public amenities and services available to mourners to help themselves.

At least eight clean water bowsers were placed strategically around the grounds to quench the mourners’ thirst. There were six ambulances and Kenya Red Cross personnel stood at the ready to respond to emergencies.

There were 12 feeding tents with uniformed waitresses on hand to feed, according to the organisers, an estimated 25,000 mourners, 20,000 in the main tents and 5,000 at a nearby primary school whose land was donated by the minister.

Everyone was given the funeral programme booklet containing the latest pictures of Prof Saitoti, highlighting his life’s path in family, academic and politics.

He is shown, among others, shaking hands with President Kibaki, conversing with global leaders and personalities and mingling with constituents.

Notable among the pictures is the one with his widow Margaret during their wedding day in 1976 and one with their son Zachary.

The cover of the booklet had a portrait of Prof Saitoti in an exquisite blue suit, plain shirt and orange dotted tie clasping his hands together in a pose. Inside was a full frame of the smiling minister in the same suit and seated.

Some officials of his Party of National Unity said these were intended for use in his campaign posters when he officially announced his presidential bid some time this week, plans that unfortunately did not materialise.

The funeral service was led by Bishop John Oballa Owaa of the Catholic Diocese of Ngong who, in his sermon, said the minister would rejoice in heaven as he had shown and kept his faith.

“He worked for God on earth through many of his charity activities and for caring for the needy,” said Bishop Owaa. He appealed that a conclusive investigation be done on the helicopter crash.

Nairobi Archbishop John Cardinal Njue and other top clergy were present and also conducted short prayers. Renditions were led by the St Joseph’s choir from Ngong and St Andrew’s PCEA Nairobi.

The ceremony kicked off at around 11.30 am when President Kibaki arrived. The dignitaries had arrived and were already seated, except for Attorney-General Prof Githu Muigai, who walked in 17 minutes later in blue jeans and a cowboy hat, drawing some murmurs from mourners.

The hearse carrying the body had arrived at 9.48 am and was driven into the compound where it remained for nearly an hour before some ministers who arrived ahead of the fleet fetched it for a procession to the tents at 10.34 am.

Walking behind the coffin draped in the national flag were the immediate family members led by the widow and son. Black was the standard dress code for many of the ministers and officials who trooped in between 9.30 am and 11 am.

In the crowd were some of the politicians who worked for many years with Prof Saitoti, including retired President Moi, who walked in accompanied by Kanu secretary-general Nick Salat and other party officials.

Others were Joseph Kamotho, John Keen, Hosea Kiplagat and George Muhoho. David ole Sankori was overcome by emotion and failed to complete reading his speech as a family friend. The master of ceremonies, Gideon Konchella, read it for him.

Shortly after 5 pm, the procession was led back into the home where Saitoti’s remains were laid to rest. Only the VIPs and a few people were allowed into the home for what was said to be a private interment.