President William Ruto and his political rival Raila Odinga are among a host of local leaders expected at Field Marshal Mukami Kimathi’s funeral on Saturday, May 13.
It will be the first time the two politicians will be in each other’s presence in as many days, following their spat over the 2022 General Election.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua revealed on Sunday that Ruto would attend the funeral, which he said would befit the late Field Marshal Mukami Kimathi reputation.
“President William Ruto will attend the funeral. I met the family to check on the burial preparations; the government will meet the burial expenses,” DP Gachagua told mourners at Mukami’s memorial service in Njabini.
DP Gachagua described her as selfless because she and her husband Dedan Kimathi volunteered to fight British colonial forces in order to liberate the country.
Meanwhile, Raila Odinga, the leader of the Azimio la Umoja coalition, has urged the State to give the late Mukami a State Funeral, preferably at the Uhuru Gardens, where freedom fighters were tortured.
In addition, he said that he would go to the funeral because he and the late Mukami “had been very close.”
“I cannot miss the funeral of Shujaa Mama Mukami wa Kimathi. We have been very close and I will be in Njabini for her final ceremony on earth,” Raila said on Sunday.
“I would wish the final state funeral service in honour of the late Maitu Mukami Kimathi be held at Uhuru Gardens where Mau Mau freedom fighters were being tortured,”
At the time of her passing, Mukami was 96 years old. She died after a protracted illness, according to her family.
Ahead of the Saturday burial, the government has set up a national funeral committee to plan Mukami’s burial, which will be chaired by the Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Dr Raymond Omollo.
