All set for Maathai State send-off

By Felix Olick

Prof Wangari Maathai, environmental protection crusader and 2004 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, will on Saturday be accorded a send off befitting her iconic stature.

Prof Maathai will be cremated in accordance to her last wishes, hours after this year’s Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to three women — Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberian Leymah Gbowee and Tawakul Karman of Yemen.

Full State honours will be rolled out in a final tribute to a strong willed woman who fought many battles with authorities throughout her decorated struggle for human rights and environmental protection.

Nancy Wettstein and daughter Mumbi were among hundreds of Kenyans who turned up Friday to pay tribute to Prof Wangari Maathai. The body of the environment icon will be cremated after a State funeral today. [PHOTO:MOSES OMUSULA/Standard]

Massive crowds are expected to line up along the procession route to pay their respects.

The motorcade starts the journey to her final resting place Saturday morning at Lee Funeral Home; make a stop for official rites in her honour at Freedom Corner — where she battled to save Uhuru Park — on the way to the crematorium at Kariokor.

The casket that will carry the body of the Nobel laureate is made of water hyacinth, papyrus reeds and a bamboo frame.

According to officials at her Green Belt movement, the coffin was made by three artisans who are part of the Kisumu Innovation Centre Kenya.

Former Green Belt Movement Director Karanja Njoroge said the three artisans who operate in Kibuye market at the Jua Kali Centre were chosen because of their great expertise.

Karanja said the bamboo that was used to make the frame of the coffin was planted by Wangari at her Lavington home.

Speaking to the Press at Green Belt Movement Headquarters in Nairobi Friday, Karanja also detailed plans and events that will characterise the final journey of the fallen hero.

The programme starts at 9.00am with interfaith prayers at Freedom Corner, Uhuru Park.

The cortege will leave Lee Funeral Home at 9.30am accompanied by family members and Green Belt Movement Board and staff.

"The procession will drive down Valley Road, past Serena hotel and into the Freedom Corner in Uhuru Park," said Karanja.

He explained that once at Uhuru Park, the National Anthem will be played by the Kenya Prisons Band. There will be opening prayers before the family plants Olea Africana tree in her memory.

Tree planting

After the tree planting, the State will pay its last respect in accordance with protocol.

"The cortege will then proceed down Uhuru Highway to the Haile Selassie Roundabout, to Railways Roundabout and then down Landhies Road," explained Karanja, adding that they will then proceed along Kamkunji Roundabout and then finally to Kariokor Roundabout up to the crematorium.

However, the public will not have an opportunity to view her body as the coffin will be draped with the national flag.

Speaking to the Press at Green Belt Movement Headquarters in Nairobi Friday, Karanja said members of the public will not be allowed into the crematorium as it will be a private ceremony only open to family members.

"Members of the public can bid bye to Wangari at the freedom corner or during the procession. However, at the Crematorium it will be a private ceremony only open to family members," said the ex-official.

Karanja said there will be requiem mass for the repose of her soul at the Holy Family Basilica on Saturday October 15.

A memorial service at the homestead of Wangari’s late mother in Ihithe village will be held on the same day and coordinated by the Kenya Girl Guides Association and the local administrators.