Leaders unite in mourning former senator

Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo’s widow described her husband as a changed man in the months before his death.

“In the last few months, it’s like he was preparing himself for departure. He had changed in many ways. It was like he was telling me: This is it, and I will be going home soon,” said Mrs Cyrose Nduku Kilonzo.

She spoke Wednesday at the Nairobi Baptist Church during the requiem mass for the late Senator, ahead of his burial at his native home in Mbooni Thursday.

His last words to her were “I am in paradise,” when they spoke on telephone on the night of April 27 when he is thought to have died. He had christened his other home in Maanzoni, Machakos, “Valhalla”.

Mrs Kilonzo said her husband had renewed his Christian faith in February at a church in Utangwa, one of the reasons she believed the senator was living his last days.

“He went up to the priest and said he was a sinner and asked for prayers so that he could be forgiven,” she told mourners, who included the movers and shakers in Kenyan society.

The senator’s colleagues in Parliament kept off politics and chose words like “brave, jovial, patriot, brainy, focused, astute, loving, fighter” to describe him.

Former President Kibaki was, however, tempted to delve into a political talk when he seemingly suggested that one of Mr Kilonzo’s family members should fill the void left in Makueni politics.

The former President said: “You should stay as a united strong family. You should take up the same spirit and let one of you take up these matters, but let’s not talk about politics now.”

Deputy President William Ruto pledged government support for the family.

“Everything will be done to ensure he gets a befitting send off, devoid of any speculation,” he said.

Mr Ruto told the mourners at the Nairobi Baptist Church that President Uhuru Keneyatta will travel from London, United Kingdom, in time for the burial.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga said the government should ensure that the cause of death is established.

Mr Kilonzo’s son, Mutula Kilonzo Junior, said he found his father dead at around 10am.

“There is a lot of speculation. We better not engage in endless speculation and allow those charged with the responsibility to unearth what happened. This time we will leave no stone unturned until we get to the bottom of the matter. I am sure the government will ensure it’s done,” said Mr Odinga.

Former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka asked Kenyans to be patient.

“What is it that took his life. Let us be kind to the family and finish the process (burial and investigations),” he said.

In their eulogies, Mr Kilonzo’s children braved the somber mood and shed no tears, and said they chose to celebrate the life of their father.

Ms Kethi Kilonzo, the senator’s daughter who shot to fame when she represented a petitioner challenging Mr Kenyatta’s election at the Supreme Court, took the mourners through a scripted journey of her father’s early life, including in legal practice.

Mr Kilonzo Junior, bravely recalled how he arrived in Maanzoni to find his father “lifeless and cold.”

“I received a disturbing message that my father was unwell. It was traumatising. I went to his room and there he was lifeless. Unperturbed I called out his name. I held his hand and it was cold. For 20 minutes I was with him alone,” he said.