Hundreds attend Matiba’s funeral service in Murang’a

Residents of Maragua watch as the hearse carrying the body of Mr Kenneth Matiba heads to Ihura Stadium in Murang’a for a funeral service on April 26, 2018. PHOTO | NICHOLAS KOMU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria led other area leaders o mourn Mr Matiba who hailed from the county.

  • During the funeral service, mourners also received free copies of the Daily Nation and Taifa Leo.

  • His body was driven into the compound where he had lived during his years in politics.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga have joined thousands of mourners at Ihura Stadium in Murang'a County for the funeral service of second liberation hero Kenneth Matiba.

Other leaders present included Cabinet secretaries Mwangi Kiunjuri (Agriculture) James Macharia (Transport) and Raphael Tuju.  Governors Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu) and Hassan Joho (Mombasa) were also present as well as nominated MP Maina Kamanda.

Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria led other area leaders, among them Senator Irungu Kangata, Woman Representative Sabina Chege and the seven MPs to mourn Mr Matiba who hailed from the county.

During the funeral service, mourners also received free copies of the Daily Nation and Taifa Leo.

Security had been beefed up with General Service Unit, Administration Police officers and National Youth Service cohorts being deployed.

FUNERAL PROCESSION

Murang'a residents who could not make their way to the stadium stood along the Kenol-Murang'a road to get a glimpse of the funeral procession.

The convoy slowed down at Kenol town where a hospital named after the veteran politician is situated.

The convoy made a stopover at Mr Matiba’s Embassy home in Mukangu village in Kiharu Constituency where he served as MP for two terms.

His body was driven into the compound where he had lived during his years in politics.

The funeral convoy arrived at Ihura Stadium at 11.20am.

The service was presided over by ACK Mt Kenya Central Diocese Bishop Timothy Gichere.

Hawkers seeking to sell foodstuffs were not allowed into the stadium.