Michuki burial arrangements ready - Rugut

By Job Weru

Central PC Kiplimo Rugut Monday led the provincial security and administration team to inspect arrangements at the late Minister John Michuki's Kangema home, where about 15,000 mourners are expected at Tuesday's burial.

Rugut and his team inspected General Kago Grounds where a service will be held, ahead of the burial at his home, which is barely a kilometre from Kangema town.

Roads leading to the stadium have already been gravelled, while the grave has already been dug.

And as Rugut inspected the site, residents of Kangema converged at Sacred Heart of Jesus, Gakira Catholic Church for a requiem mass. The mass took place concurrently with another held at the Consolata Shrine in Westlands, Nairobi.

The residents also signed a condolence book that was placed at the church’s entrance. Michuki was a member of the church, which he attended whenever he was in his rural home.

Monday afternoon, workers at the home and state officials were doing final touches on the site and digging holes where President Kibaki, Michuki’s widow Josephine and representative from the United Nations Environmental Programme (Unep) will plant trees.

But the PC announced that no flowers will be planted at the grave.

"It was the wish of the minister, as communicated by family members, that there will be no planting of flowers in his grave," said Rugut.

Instead, Rugut, who was accompanied by Regional Commissioner, Wilson Njega, PPO John Mbijjiwe and DCs and OCPDs from the province said only the four trees will be planted.

The grave in which the former Kangema MP will be buried has not been cemented, with neighbours at his rural Kangema home claiming, "Mzee said he does not want a quarry."

The grave was dug barely five metres from his late mother’s, Mrs Mariana Wanjiku Michuki. It also stands about 20 metres from a huge sculpture of the Virgin Mary, which is constructed within the serene compound.

Rugut said about 200 people will be allowed into the gravesite-for security reasons.

"We will be having ministers, MPs, diplomats and other dignitaries, and they will be the only people allowed to access the gravesite," said the administrator.