Mukami Kimathi: Honored with State Funeral Among 7 Kenyans
People of distinction hold a special place in the history of every nation. Kenya is no different.
According to Collins, a state funeral is a ceremonial funeral for a head of state or other extremely important person.
On Sunday, May 7, 2023, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua announced that Field Marshal Mukami Kimathi, the widow of the late Dedan Kimathi Waciuri, would receive a state funeral on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
Mukami was one of only a handful of Kenyans to ever receive a state funeral. Here is the list, along with an explanation of why this is a rare opportunity.
Mukami Kimathi
She will join the eight Kenyans who have previously received this honor.
Her husband, Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi, led Kenyans in the fight against colonialism and was a member of the Mau Mau. She died on May 4, 2023.
The British captured and imprisoned Kimathi at Kamiti Prison before executing him in February 1957. His grave was unmarked.
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Mukami, on the other hand, participated in Mau Mau activities and was also incarcerated at Kamiti Prison.
Her dying wish was to exhume her husband’s remains so she could rebury them.
Jomo Kenyatta
He served as the first president of Kenya from 12 December 1964 until his death on 22 August 1978. Before that, he served as Kenya’s first prime minister from 1 June 1963 to 12 December 1964.
Mzee, as he was commonly known, was imprisoned in Lokitaung from 1952 to 1959 for his independence activism. He remained in exile in Lodwar until 1961.
His influence in Kenya includes influencing the country’s politics and foreign policy.
On Thursday, August 31, 1978, he was accorded a state funeral, and his body was interred at Nairobi’s Parliament Grounds.
Wangari Maathai
Prof. Wangari Maathai, the founder of the Green Belt Movement and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, passed away recently.
She received credit for planting over 30 million trees in Kenya.
Ex-President Mwai Kibaki eulogized her, stating, “She has distinguished herself as Kenya’s most outstanding champion of environmental sustainability, and through her tireless efforts, present and future generations in our country and the region will enjoy a much cleaner and safer environment.”
Her dying wish was that no tree would be cut down to construct a wooden coffin.
Her death occurred on September 25, 2011.
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On Saturday, October 8, 2011, her funeral took place at Freedom Corner in Uhuru Park before her cremation at the Kariokor Crematorium.
Michael Kijana Wamalwa
After Mwai Kibaki was elected president on December 27, 2002, he served as Kenya’s eighth Vice President.
On August 23, 2003, he passed away at the Royal Free Hospital in London, less than a year after becoming vice president.
On Saturday, September 6, 2003, he was accorded a state funeral on his Kitale farm, even though the government of Mwai Kibaki had offered to bury him at Heroes Corner in Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi.
Wahome Gakuru
The second governor of Nyeri was Gakuru. Formerly the director of the Vision 2030 agenda, he was instrumental in its implementation, which was launched by former President Mwai Kibaki.
On his way from Nyeri to Nairobi, he died in a gruesome road accident in Kabati town.
On Saturday, November 18, 2017, he received a state funeral in Nyeri County.
Daniel Arap Moi
He served as Kenya’s second and longest-serving president from 1978 to 2002.
He passed away on February 4, 2020, in Nairobi.
On February 11, 2020, his state funeral with military honors was held at the Nyayo National Stadium. He was then interred the following day, on February 13, 2020.
His body lay in state in Parliament for three days so that the public could pay their respects.
The military fired 19 gun salutes at the state funeral.
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Lucy Kibaki
She was Kenya’s First Lady during the presidency of President Kibaki. As an outspoken leader, she set the standard for future first ladies.
In July 2011, the Embakasi District Hospital was renamed in her honor as the Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital.
She passed away on April 26, 2016, at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital in London and was laid to rest on Saturday, May 7, 2016, in Othaya, Nyeri County.
Mwai Kibaki
He was the third president of Kenya. Kibaki had previously served as finance minister under President Jomo Kenyatta and vice president under President Daniel Moi.
He passed away in Nairobi on the evening of 21 April 2022.
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His body lay in state in the House of Representatives, guarded by rotating Kenya Defense Forces colonels.
The state funeral took place at Nyayo National Stadium on April 29, 2022.
On April 30, 2022, he was laid to rest at his residence in Othaya with full military honors, including a 19-gun salute.
Traditionally, Kenya honors presidents with state funerals.
The decision regarding non-presidential civilians is made by the president in consultation with the Defense Council.
Additionally, the Defense Council authorizes military funerals for officers and service members.
Mukami Kimathi: Honored with State Funeral Among 7 Kenyans
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