Deputy President William Ruto condoles Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo’s
widow Cyrose Nduku, their children and other family members during the
Requiem Mass at Nairobi Baptist Church on Wednesday May 5, 2013.
PHOTO/BILLY MUTAI
NATION
By FRED MUKINDA fmukinda@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Wednesday, May 8 2013 at 22:13
Posted Wednesday, May 8 2013 at 22:13
“In the last few months, it’s like he was
preparing himself for departure. He had changed in many ways. It was
like he was telling me: This is it, and I will be going home soon,” said
Mrs Cyrose Nduku Kilonzo.
She spoke Wednesday at the Nairobi Baptist Church
during the requiem mass for the late Senator, ahead of his burial at his
native home in Mbooni Thursday.
His last words to her were “I am in paradise,”
when they spoke on telephone on the night of April 27 when he is thought
to have died. He had christened his other home in Maanzoni, Machakos,
“Valhalla”.
Mrs Kilonzo said her husband had renewed his
Christian faith in February at a church in Utangwa, one of the reasons
she believed the senator was living his last days.
“He went up to the priest and said he was a sinner
and asked for prayers so that he could be forgiven,” she told mourners,
who included the movers and shakers in Kenyan society.
The senator’s colleagues in Parliament kept off
politics and chose words like “brave, jovial, patriot, brainy, focused,
astute, loving, fighter” to describe him.
Former President Kibaki was, however, tempted to
delve into a political talk when he seemingly suggested that one of Mr
Kilonzo’s family members should fill the void left in Makueni politics.
The former President said: “You should stay as a
united strong family. You should take up the same spirit and let one of
you take up these matters, but let’s not talk about politics now.”
Deputy President William Ruto pledged government support for the family.
“Everything will be done to ensure he gets a befitting send off, devoid of any speculation,” he said.
Mr Ruto told the mourners at the Nairobi Baptist
Church that President Uhuru Keneyatta will travel from London, United
Kingdom, in time for the burial.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga said the government should ensure that the cause of death is established.
Mr Kilonzo’s son, Mutula Kilonzo Junior, said he found his father dead at around 10am.
“There is a lot of speculation. We better not
engage in endless speculation and allow those charged with the
responsibility to unearth what happened. This time we will leave no
stone unturned until we get to the bottom of the matter. I am sure the
government will ensure it’s done,” said Mr Odinga.
Former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka asked Kenyans to be patient.
“What is it that took his life. Let us be kind to the family and finish the process (burial and investigations),” he said.
In their eulogies, Mr Kilonzo’s children braved
the somber mood and shed no tears, and said they chose to celebrate the
life of their father.
Ms Kethi Kilonzo, the senator’s daughter who shot to fame when
she represented a petitioner challenging Mr Kenyatta’s election at the
Supreme Court, took the mourners through a scripted journey of her
father’s early life, including in legal practice.
Mr Kilonzo Junior, bravely recalled how he arrived in Maanzoni to find his father “lifeless and cold.”
“I received a disturbing message that my father
was unwell. It was traumatising. I went to his room and there he was
lifeless. Unperturbed I called out his name. I held his hand and it was
cold. For 20 minutes I was with him alone,” he said.
Family members during the requiem mass at Nairobi Baptist Church on May 8, 2013. Photo/BILLY MUTAI
The late Hon. Mutula Kilonzo speaking after he was sworn in at the KICC on the 28th of March 2013.
The requiem mass that was held for the late Mutula Kilonzo at Nairobi Baptist Church on May 8, 2013. Photo/BILLY MUTAI
Family members during the requiem mass at Nairobi Baptist Church on May 8, 2013. Photo/BILLY MUTAI
Nduku Kilonzo, the late Senator's wife reads a card from her husband during the requiem mass at Nairobi Baptist Church on May 8, 2013. Photo/BILLY MUTAI
Family members during the requiem mass at Nairobi Baptist Church on May 8, 2013. Photo/BILLY MUTAI
Kethi Kilonzo speaks during her father's requiem mass at Nairobi Baptist Church on May 8, 2013. Photo/BILLY MUTAI
Kethi Kilonzo and other family members during her father's requiem mass at Nairobi Baptist Church on May 8, 2013. Photo/BILLY MUTAI
The Moipei quartet sisters after they performed during the ceremony at Nairobi Baptist Church on May 8, 2013. Photo/BILLY MUTAI
Rev Mutava Musyimi prays for the Mutula Kilonzo family is prayed for at Nairobi Baptist Church on May 8, 2013. Photo/BILLY MUTAI
From right: Deputy President William Ruto, former President Mwai Kibaki, Raila Odinga and other legal and political leaders during the requiem mass at Nairobi Baptist Church on May 8, 2013. Photo/BILLY MUTAI
Deputy President William Ruto (seated right) with former president Mwai Kibaki and Senator James Orengo (standing) during at Nairobi Baptist Church on May 8, 2013. Photo/BILLY MUTAI
The late Hon. Mutula Kilonzo speaking after he was sworn in at the KICC on the 28th of March 2013.
Busia Senator Amos Wako (left) speaks at the Nairobi Baptist Church on May 8, 2013. Photo/BILLY MUTAI
The late Hon. Mutula Kilonzo speaking after he was sworn in at the KICC on the 28th of March 2013.
The late Mutula Kilonzo addressing a crowd at Email on March , 2013 during the just concluded March 4, General Elections. JENNIFER MUIRURI
Senator Mutula Kilonzo was found dead at his Kwa Kyelu ranch in this house in Machakos. JENNIFER MUIRURI (NAIROBI)
Security officers keep watch at the gate of former Makueni County Senator Mutula Kilonzo’s home in Gigiri on April 28, 2013.
The late Hon. Mutula Kilonzo, during the releasing of the KCSE results as the minister for education
President Mwai Kibaki (right) receives the peace torch from school pupils, Sarah Nasieku from Narok School and Victor Ogeto from Starehe Boys Centre during the exercise at State House in Nairobi, February 25th, 2013. Looking on is the late Hon. Mutula Kilonzo the then minister for education, and PS prof George Godia.
The late Makueni senator conferring with his daughter, Kethi Kilonzi, together with Hon. Ababu Namwamba at the Supreme Court during CORD's election petition.
PHOTO/STEPHEN MUDIARI: Senator Johnstone Muthama (left) with funeral committee secretary Musyoki Kivindyo and family spokesman Chris Musau, brief the media at Mutula Kilonzo's home at Gigiri in Nairobi, April 28th, 2013.
PHOTO/STEPHEN MUDIARI Mutula Kilonzo's home at Gigiri in Nairobi, April 28th, 2013.
PHOTO/STEPHEN MUDIARI: Relatives and friends arrive at Mutula Kilonzo's home at Gigiri in Nairobi, April 28th, 2013.
Brother in-law to the late Mutula Kilonzo confirms his death on April 27,2013. JENNIFER MUIRURI
Nduku Kilonzo after viewing the body of her husband Senator Mutula Kilonzo at Lee Funeral Home, Nairobi on May 9,2013. Photo/DENIS OCHIENG
The hearse carrying the body of Senator Mutula Kilonzo set to leave Lee Funeral Home for Mbooni, Makueni County on May 9,2013. Photo/DENIS OCHIENG
The hearse carrying the body of Senator Mutula Kilonzo set to leave Lee Funeral Home for Mbooni, Makueni County on May 9,2013. Photo/DENIS OCHIENG
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