Family buries slain Monica Kimani, seeks justice

As the family of the late Monica Nyawira Kimani bid their final farewell to the 28-year-old who was killed in cold blood last Wednesday, her father told mourners that he had only one wish.

“Before I join my maker I would like to know who killed my daughter and why,” Mr Paul Kimani, who spoke for slightly over a minute during Friday's sombre funeral in Gilgil, Nakuru County, said.

Monica's mother was so overcome with grief that she could not address the family and friends who had gathered at her home to bury her daughter, whose body was found in her flat in Nairobi by her brother.

Every so often, she wiped the tears that rolled freely down her cheeks with a white handkerchief as speakers poured praised on her slain daughter.

One suspect, Mr Joseph Kuria Irungu, alias Joe Jowi, has been arrested in connection with the killing and is in custody as police continue with investigations.

Monica had just arrived in the country from South Sudan when her body was found in her Nairobi apartment with the throat slit.

GRIEF

For Mr Kimani and his family, their biggest desire is to have those behind Monica's death brought to book.

A sombre mood engulfed the mourners at 3:30pm when Monica's body was finally lowered to its final resting place, closing one chapter in the book of her life but leaving many questions unanswered.

Earlier, slight showers punctuated what was a long day for the mourners.

Tears flowed freely as a clergyman uttered the words that signalled that Monica was no more: "Dust to dust".

Her friends wailed uncontrollably, overcome with grief. Some had to walk with support from the grave.

Monica might have lived a low-keyed life, but her killing captured the attention of the nation due to the personalities being investigated in connection with her death, especially Mr Irungu, the boyfriend of TV journalist Jacque Maribe.

JUSTICE

Mourners, including villagers, started trooping to the sleepy Kairi village in Gilgil early in the morning, eager to attend the highly-publicised funeral that stirred the lull in the laid-back area.

Motorists drove for six kilometres from Gilgil town to the burial site. The family’s modest home was the first stop.

And when the ceremony started, the mourners followed the proceedings in silence. “Many questions are being asked about her death … but what we are asking for is justice,” Mr Kenneth Mbaria, a church leader who addressed the gathering, said.

He called on investigating agencies to expedite the case, saying the family and the country at large want to know those involved in committing the heinous crime.

Dressed in black, relatives and close friends were conspicuous, with the dressing mode summing up the gloom that characterised the four-hour ceremony.

Monica's former schoolmates opted for white T-shirts emblazoned with her photo. They all wore black trousers.

PERFORMER

Her friends from Juba, South Sudan, where Nyawira had a business, were also present to pay their last respect to a friend they cherished.

Monica was killed a day after she arrived in the country from Juba.

“We both schooled together at Icaciri Secondary School in Gatundu, Kiambu County,” her former schoolmate, Ms Janet Koki, said.

"She was among the best students in English and she used to assist me a lot."

The ceremony was presided over by different church leaders who were united in demanding justice for the departed Monica.

Gilgil MP Martha Wangari echoed their sentiments, saying those involved in the killing should be brought to book.

“We are urging the police to fully investigate the matter and ensure justice for Monica,” she said.