Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has arrived in Kitale to honour the late Vice-President Michael Kijana Wamalwa, 23 years after the veteran politician's death.
Uhuru arrived in Trans Nzoia County on Sunday for the annual memorial service at Wamalwa's Milimani home and mausoleum, where family members, political leaders and other guests have gathered to commemorate the former vice-president.
The annual memorial is held around August 23 to mark the death of Kijana, who died on August 23, 2003, barely eight months into his tenure as Kenya's eighth vice-president under Mwai Kibaki, while undergoing treatment in London.
At the event, Uhuru is expected to launch a new book documenting Kijana's life and political legacy.
Kijana's younger brother, Eugene Wamalwa, said the retired president wrote the foreword for the publication, which took 23 years to complete.
"It has taken a bit of time, 23 years, but the book is now complete," Eugene said, adding that Uhuru was expected to formally launch it at the memorial.
Uhuru's presence at the event carries a personal significance beyond the annual remembrance, marking another chapter in his relationship with the Wamalwa family.
Kijana and the Kenyatta family had longstanding ties, with Eugene previously describing Uhuru and his late brother as close friends.
The two were particularly close at a time when Kenya's political landscape was being reshaped ahead of the election that ended KANU's four-decade rule.
Kijana ultimately joined forces with Mwai Kibaki, Raila Odinga, Charity Ngilu and Kalonzo Musyoka in the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), which defeated KANU in the 2002 election, leading to Kibaki appointing him vice-president.
Kijana's political legacy remains closely associated with the push for multiparty democracy, opposition unity and national political alliances.
His role in bringing together rival opposition figures ahead of the 2002 election helped pave the way for NARC's historic victory over KANU.
The event has attracted leaders from across Kenya's political divide, including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang'i, former Kitui governor Charity Ngilu and former minister Musikari Kombo.
The gathering is also expected to bring together figures associated with the United Alternative Government and the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Eugene said the invitation list extended beyond opposition politicians to government leaders who had maintained close ties with the Wamalwa family or had worked with Kijana during his political career.
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