Maathai to be cremated in Nairobi and ashes buried at peace institute

By Cyrus Ombati

The body of Nobel Laureate Prof Wangari Maathai will be cremated and her remains interred in Nairobi in a State function on Saturday.

The family of the environmentalist and the Government agreed to cremate the body at the Kariokor Crematorium before the remains are interred at the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies, in accordance with her wish.

A statement issued by the Government and her family stated that the body will be escorted from Lee Funeral Home by members of the Kenya Defence Forces through Uhuru Park’s Freedom Corner, before it is cremated at Kariokor.

She joins a list of tens of Kenyans whose bodies are cremated, in a tradition that is fairly rare among Africans.

Prof Maathai, the 2004 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, died on September 25, 2011 at the Nairobi Hospital after a long fight with ovarian cancer.

The late Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Prof Wangari Maathai. Her body is to be cremated at Kariokor according to her wishes. Photo: File/Standard

She has been eulogised by leaders from across the world and the Government announced that she would be honoured with a State funeral.

At a Press conference, Prof Vertistine Mbaya, the treasurer of the Greenbelt Movement Board, who spoke for the family, said that they would stick to what she had wanted for her burial.

"Prof Maathai stated her wish to be cremated upon her death. In adherence to her wishes, we have made arrangements for a private funeral service on Saturday, October 8, 2011," she said.

According to the programme released, there will be a private funeral service on Saturday before the body departs from Lee Funeral Home at 9 am and proceeds to Freedom Corner, Uhuru Park for a tree planting ceremony.

Inter-faith prayers

There will be official rites to be performed in her honour by the Kenya Defence Forces and inter-faith prayers at Uhuru Park.

Immediately thereafter, a countrywide tree planting ceremony will be launched and it is anticipated at least 5,000 trees will be planted.

"Thereafter, the family will proceed to Kariokor Crematorium for the final rites. Members of the public are welcome to pay their last respects both at the Freedom Corner and along the route from Lee Funeral Home to Kariokor," read part of the statement.

The statement was signed by Wanjira Maathai, her daughter and Internal Security permanent secretary Francis Kimemia.

On October 14, a public memorial service in her honour will be held at the Holy Family Basilica. The requiem mass is scheduled to start at 10 am.

A similar memorial service will be conducted at her homestead in Ihithe, Nyeri County. It will be organised by the Kenya Girl Guides Association and the local administration.

According to plans, there will be a musical tributes and celebrations of Prof Maathai’s life in Nairobi after the requiem mass through music, poetry and tributes at a venue to be announced.

A first for an African woman

Kimemia said the Government will provide security, protocol and logistical support services at all venues where funeral arrangements are being made and at the final burial ceremony.

The Nobel Laureate led a sustained campaign for environmental conservation, respect for human rights and democratic values, making the Moi regime subject her to frequent arrests, beatings and incarcerations.

In 2004, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded her the Nobel Peace Prize — a first for an African woman.

During a State funeral, the casket bearing the deceased is draped in the Kenyan flag, placed on a Stately carriage and escorted by a military platoon.

Mourners have been jamming condolence tents set up in Nairobi and other major towns to pay tribute to Prof Maathai.

Last week, President Kibaki declared Thursday and Friday official days of mourning during which the national flag flew at half-mast.

Maathai successfully fought off an attempt by the Moi regime to build a 60-storey building at Uhuru Park. She also took on powerful individuals in the Moi government who had hived off parts of the Karura Forest on the outskirts of Nairobi.

The environmentalist joined politics and was in 2002 elected the Member of Parliament for Tetu, Nyeri District and served as assistant minister.