By LUCIANNE LIMO
Tears and tension greeted the arrival of the body of businessman Gerishon Kirima at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi.
The plane carrying his remains arrived at 4pm from South Africa, where he died.
The curtain came down on the former Starehe MP last Wednesday at the age of 88, while undergoing treatment. He suffered from diabetes.
Tension was evident at the presidential area where few family members and friends gathered in groups to receive the body.
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It was later taken to Lee Funeral Home to await the burial.
Chief pathologist, Dr Moses Njue, will conduct a post-mortem examination today at the funeral home, which will also be witnessed by two family-appointed doctors to establish the cause of death.
The remains of businessman Gerishon Kirima arrived from South Africa Monday. Kirima died in the middle of a simmering property row pitting his wife Teresiah Wairimu (right) and her stepchildren. [PHOTO: Collins Kweyu/STANDARD] |
Bitter wars
The funeral committee chairman, Maina Wanjigi, announced at the brief ceremony held at the airport that daily prayers would be conducted at Kirima’s home in Kitisuru, which was the epicenter of bitter wars pitting his children and their stepmother, and at All Saints Cathedral.
Save for close members of the feuding family, other mourners and journalists were locked out of the ceremony at the airport.
Journalists were allowed towards the end, but Wanjigi justified the move, saying it was necessary since the family was holding a private meeting.
No Government official was present at the airport.
Kirima leaves behind a simmering court battle over his empire pitting two of his families.
Mrs Teresia Wairimu, Mr Kirima’s third wife, and her children are on one side of the bitter contest over control of property owned by the former Kanu stalwart. Her stepchildren are on the other side.
Hours after his death, Wairimu claimed she heard of her husband demise through the media.
