Uhuru to launch book on Wamalwa's legacy at annual memorial

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Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to attend the annual memorial service for former Vice-President Michael Kijana Wamalwa in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, where he will launch a book documenting the life and legacy of the late leader.

The memorial service will be held at Wamalwa’s Milimani home and mausoleum, with political leaders from across the political divide expected to attend.

DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa said preparations for the event were complete, adding that Uhuru had written the foreword to the book and would formally launch it during the ceremony.

“It has taken a bit of time, 23 years, but the book is now complete, and he put the foreword in the book, and we expect him to join us,” Eugene said.

He urged Kenyans to attend the memorial and celebrate the contribution of the former vice-president, who died on August 23, 2003, aged 59, while undergoing treatment in London.

Eugene said the gathering would bring together Opposition leaders from both the United Alternative Government and the Linda Mwananchi movement, reflecting Wamalwa’s broad political networks.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, his People's Liberation Party counterpart Martha Karua, former Kitui governor Charity Ngilu and former minister Musikari Kombo have already arrived at the venue for the memorial service and were received by Eugene and local leaders.

Eugene said the invitation list was not limited to Opposition politicians, noting that government leaders who had close ties with the Wamalwa family and had worked with the late vice-president had also been invited.

The annual memorial is held around August 23 each year to mark Wamalwa’s death.

The late served as Kenya’s vice-president under President Mwai Kibaki from 2002 until his death in 2003.