Renowned PCEA cleric Rev Kania laid to rest in church compound

Public health officials lower casket containing the remains of the late PCEA Secretary-General Rev Peter Kania Kariuki during his burial at the Church of Torch in Kikuyu on July 30, 2020. [Hudson Wainaina, Standard]

The remains of the late PCEA Secretary-General Rev Peter Kania were on Thursday interred at the PCEA Church of Torch cemetery.

Deputy President William Ruto and Health CS Mutahi Kagwe were among leaders who led mourners during the burial of the late renowned PCEA cleric.

Speaking at Thogoto PCEA Church of the Torch, DP Ruto urged Kenyans to continue observing all the laid down Covid -19 guidelines as directed by the Ministry of Health in order to contain the deadly virus.

Kania died at the Nairobi Hospital last Sunday while receiving treatment for complications related to Covid-19, according to a statement from PCEA Moderator Julius Mwamba.

Dp Ruto told Kenyans to take personal responsibility in order to minimise infections and possible deaths.

“Let’s all take personal responsibility as citizens and avoid blame games by pointing this or that”, he said.

The DP eulogised the late Kania as a faith warrior, a gospel soldier and a national intercessor who prayed for the nation.

In addition, the DP, as part of his condolence message led mourners in singing Kiswahili gospel song ‘Bwana U Sehemu Yangu’.

Ruto was accompanied by Mp’s Kimani Ichung'wa (Kikuyu) and Oscar Sudi (Kapseret) Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe who read President Uhuru Kenyatta's tribute reiterated that for the pandemic to be put under control, every Kenyan should take all the precautionary measures issued by the government.

'We are living in very difficult times, I know that thousands of people would have attended, Dr Kania’s send-off, but eventually, we shall prevail and overcome”, he said

He said that the late Rev Kania has touched many lives and in particular, he was in the forefront since the advent of Covid -19 in reaching over 32,000 vulnerable families under the ‘adopt a family’ mantra within East Africa.

President said he was a selfless, dedicated and distinguished church administrator who contributed immensely to the growth of the PCEA church.

The function was attended by members of the clergy from all the church's 56 presbyteries with each of them sending a representative.

The sermon was conducted jointly by PCEA moderator Rev. Dr Julius Mwamba and retired Rev.Dr.Jesee Kamau.

The late Kania is survived by a widow, two sons, a daughter and a grandchild.