Naivasha farmer Tom Cholmondeley laid to rest

The late Tom Cholmondeley. PHOTO FILE

NAKURU, KENYA: The late Naivasha farmer Tom Cholmondeley was laid to rest in his family farm in Soysambu in a low key ceremony attended by high ranking personalities in the country.

The body of the 48-year-old farmer which spent the night in his parents' home was lowered to the grave next to that of his grandfather after around 5pm during a short but emotional ceremony.

Among those who attended the burial were Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua, Senator Gideon Moi, former Attorney General Sir Charles Njonjo and Gilgil MP Nderitu Mathenge among others.

The prayers were conducted by Father Patrick Devine while the family lawyer Fred Ojiambo led in Kiswahili prayers a few meters from the brown casket.

Lord Hughe George Delamere and his wife Lady Ann Delamere braved the emotional ceremony as those who spoke praised their son who died while undergoing treatment last week.

The ceremony started as from 1pm with his former workers and invited guests treated to lunch before the main service began two hours later.

In his speech Governor Kinuthia termed the death as a big loss not only to the family but to the county terming Tom as an industrious man.

The governor said that the deceased had big plans for the county adding that his government would continue working with the Delamere family.

"It's really sad and painful that Tom had to die at his prime age and when he had big plans for the county and I take this opportunity to console the family at this painful time," he said.

A family friend Phillip Coulson read the family's statement in which they had fond memories of the late farmer.

"Just like others boys he loved motorbikes, fun and the parents have fond memories of him," said Coulson in the short eulogy.

Tom who died last week while undergoing treatment in Nairobi MP Shah Hospital leaves behind two teenage boys and a fiancée Sarah Dudnesh.

At the time of his death, Tom was the director and heir of the vast Delamere estates which is involved in livestock production and growing of various livestock feeds.

According to a source in the family and who declined to be named, Tom had been suffering from hip complications for the last two years.

The source added that the deceased was involved in accident while riding a motorcycle in the UK a couple of years ago.

In May 2005, Tom shot dead a KWS ranger Samson Ole Sisina who had gone to his Soysambu farm to search for game meat.

The Attorney General (AG) then Amos Wako later terminated the murder case in a move that drew condemnation from various quarters.

Later in April 2006, he shot dead Robert Njoya and was arrested and during the three-year trial held at the High court in Nairobi, Cholmondeley was held in Kamiti prison.

He was jailed for eight months though he did not serve the full term with prison officials saying that it was normal for those with less than six months left on their sentence to be released early for good behaviour.