President Uhuru, governors, MPs to join mourners at Gakuru’s burial

The Late Dr Wahome Gakuru. (Photo: Mose Sammy/Standard)

President Uhuru Kenyatta is among leaders expected at Dr Wahome Gakuru’s funeral along with 20 other governors, burial organisers said.

Gakuru, 51, whose car smashed into a guard rail along Nyeri-Nairobi highway, had served as governor for barely three months after his election on August 8.

The former director of the Vision 2030 secretariat was the second Nyeri county chief to die in office in under a year after his predecessor Nderitu Gachagua died at a London hospital.

Mr Mutahi Kahiga, who was sworn in as Nyeri governor this week, said several MPs are expected to attend the burial.

“We are ready to receive the President and other leaders who will be there to pay their last respects to the late governor,” said Kahiga. “I have received confirmation from 20 governors,” he added.

Final journey

Gakuru’s final journey will begin at Lee Funeral Home where his body was preserved after the accident and the cortege will make its way to Kagumo High School where the funeral service will be presided over by clergy from the PCEA church.

Since this will be a State funeral, the coffin will be draped with the Kenyan flag.

According to funeral planners, his fellow governors will be the pallbearers from the hearse to the tent where the service will be conducted. The service will start at 11am.

After the service, the body will be taken to his home in Kirichu where it will be interred after a brief service that will be closed to the public.

The public will pay homage to Gakuru at Kagumo High School.  

Kirichu Primary School had initially had been selected for the funeral service but was dropped because it could not accommodate the large number of mourners.

Kagumo will play host to about 30,000 mourners who are expected at the school grounds which is also the governor’s alma mater.

 Police officers, chief and assistant chiefs  have been assigned to maintain order as only family, friends and eminent personalities, specifically his colleagues at the Council of Governors, will be present to witness as the casket is lowered into the ground.

“We have divided this area into sectors which will be manned by the chiefs and police to ensure that there will be adequate security,” Nyeri County AP Commander Njue Njagi said.