Nyagarama to be buried on Thursday in State funeral

**Late Nyamira Governor John Nyagarama's widow Naomi, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Makueni's Kivutha Kibwana and Kericho's Paul Chepkwony at Nyagarama's house in Karen.** [Wilberforce Okwiri,Standard]

Nyamira Governor John Nyagarama will be buried on Thursday in a State burial that will be co-ordinated by the Ministry of Interior.

The funeral organising committee co-chair Joash Nyamoko (North Mugirango MP) said Nyagarama’s remains would be flown via police chopper on the same day from Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi to his Tente home in Nyamira town.

An earlier announcement by the governor’s press service posted on Facebook had said the body would be flown to Nyansiongo, his Riamanoti home, on Wednesday for viewing before being taken to Nyamira, where it would stay overnight ahead of interment on Thursday.

“Due to the prevailing public health protocols on Covid-19, we agreed as a committee that the body be taken from Lee Funeral Home and be buried on the same day,” Nyamoko said.

Over the weekend, 10 directors from eight Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) company factories in Nyamira and Kisii counties, as well as the Nyamira Chapter of the Gusii Council of Elders offered their condolences to Nyagarama’s family and Deputy Governor Amos Nyaribo, and assured them of their support.

In their tribute to the governor who died last week, KTDA directors said he had played a major role in tea reforms.

“The governor was the founder of the Chai Trading Company Ltd, a subsidiary of KTDA. During his reign as a KTDA director, he spearheaded the changes we are currently enjoying,” said Benjamin Matonda, the chairman of the directors of the Gusii Tea Factory.

On their part, the elders, through chairman Peterson Meroka, said Nyagarama was a patriot who dedicated his time to serving Nyamira residents, and asked Nyaribo to ensure he completes the projects the county boss had started.