The late Kenneth Matiba, touted to be Kenya’s father of multi democracy will be cremated and not buried as widely expected.
He may also not get a state burial as would be expected. This is because he had wished so before his death.
The late Matiba is quoted by a local daily on February 8, 1994 saying he had instructed his that he should cremated upon his death.
He said he does not want to be buried because he does not want “dancing parties and Harambees”.
“After all, the Kikuyu traditionally never buried their dead. They used to take the bodies into the forest to be devoured by hyenas. Was that not wisdom,” he stated.
On matters state funeral, he said no one deserves a state funeral except Kenya’s founding father Mzee Jomo Kenyatta who was accorded one in 1978.
His argument was that if all leaders were accorded state funerals, there would be no space for development.
“All other people, including me, should be buried by their families when they die.”
The then veteran politician was critical after state send off of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in February 1994 at his Bondo home.
It around this time that he strongly criticized the poplar funeral fundraisers where he questioned why money should be raised to send one off and was never raised when he was alive.
“If a man was not assisted while he was alive, why should people raise funds for him after he dies. Has Odinga only become important after his death,” he posed.
Matiba died a week ago at the Karen Hospital. He succumbed to cardiac arrest.
He was aged 85. Notable leaders including former President Mwai Kibaki, opposition leader Raila Odinga among others have visited his home at Riara Ridge in Limuru to condole with his family.