Former minister Eliud Mwamunga buried in Taita Taveta

Former Cabinet minister Eliud Timothy Mwamunga who served under both presidents Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Moi’s governments was laid to rest in Kishamba village in Sagalla Location, Taita Taveta County on Saturday.

Mr Mwamunga passed on at a Mombasa hospital last week while undergoing treatment after suffering a gastrointestinal infection.

He had previously been admitted to a Voi hospital on June 8, 2018 but was transferred to Mombasa after his condition deteriorated.

He was aged 83 years.

Leaders from all over the county and beyond attended his funeral.

LAND ISSUES

The four Taita Taveta MPs Johnes Mlolwa (Voi) Danson Mwashako (Wundanyi) Naomi Shaban (Taveta) and Andrew Mwadime (Mwatate) said Mr Mwamunga had played a major role in the establishment of local ranches and addressing land problems.

Mr Mwadime said Mr Mwamunga was a humble person and one who secured huge tracts of land under the umbrella of ranches to keep off land grabbers and speculators.

“If it were not for him, a huge parcel of our land would have been grabbed by non-locals,” he said.

VALUED KNOWLEDGE

Dr Shaban hailed Mr Mwamunga as a leader who valued knowledge, loved people and championed development and environmental conservation, an advisor and role model.

“We should plant trees in memory of our fallen leader,” she said.

On his part, Mr Mwashako said Mr Mwamunga had demonstrated leadership qualities at an early age of 34 when he contested and won the Voi parliamentary seat.

The Wundanyi MP said it is through Mr Mwamunga’s efforts that institutions such as Coast Institute of Technology in Voi were set up.

Mr Mlolwa also hailed the former minister for putting up schools and water projects in Voi when he was Voi MP.

He also praised the former minister for securing land for local ranches.

RAILA'S MESSAGE

Former senator Dan Mwazo who delivered ODM leader Raila Odinga’s condolences described Mr Mwamunga as a hardworking and resolute person.

“I have on several occasions visited him for political advice. He has shaped local and national politics,” he said.

Former governor John Mruttu said locals should give their input on constitutional review especially on matters of resources such as land and wildlife.

Mr Mruttu said land matters continue to be a thorny issue as most residents are squatters.

Senator Jones Mwaruma warned locals against selling land once they acquire title deeds, saying this is counterproductive and a catalyst for poverty.

He said some locals have been selling their land at throw-away prices to non-residents.

“We should emulate the spirit of the late Eliud Mwamunga in consolidating land instead of subdividing and selling it,” he urged.

Others who attended the funeral were Kenya Navy commandant Levi Mghalu, former MP Marsden Madoka and local MCAs.