Raila's Wish To Ruto Govt Over Mukami Kimathi's Funeral
Raila termed her death as a blow to the whole nation.
Marvin Chege 
Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga, on Sunday, May 7 asked President William Ruto's government to organise a state funeral service for the late widow of freedom fighter and Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.
Speaking after paying homage to the widow, Mukami Kimathi, Raila termed her death as a blow to the whole nation.
While explaining the reason for calling for the state funeral service at Uhuru Gardens, Raila noted that this would be in honour of Dedan Kimathi and other freedom fighters.
Raila Odinga paying respects to Mukami Kimathi at Lee Funeral Home on May 7, 2023. /TWITTER
“I would wish the final state funeral service in honour of the late Maitu Mukami Kimathi to be held at Uhuru Gardens where Mau Mau freedom fighters were being tortured,” added Raila.
The former Prime Minister assured that he would be in attendance at the burial ceremony of Mukami Kimathi, noting that they were close friends and thus does not require any invitation to attend.
“I cannot miss burying Mukami because we have been very close. I will definitely be there, I do not need to be invited to be there,” he added.
He further called out Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over politicising the death of Mukami, noting that it was the responsibility of the government to take care of the war heroes.
“It is an issue that can be solved by the government, that has been basically pushed over a long period of time.
“I do not want anybody including the deputy president to try to politicise this issue or score political points over a very very sad affaire for the nation,” the Azimio leader stated.
Gachagua on Friday, May 5 announced that Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo will steer a national funeral committee to plan the burial of the late Mukami.
The Deputy President further announced that the funeral service for the late Mukami will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at her home in Njabini, Nyandarua County and that President Ruto will lead the government in giving the late hero a befitting send-off.
Omollo will chair the national funeral committee to plan the burial of Field Marshal Mukami and another committee at the County level will be chaired by the Governor of Nyandarua County, Moses Ndirangu Badilisha.
Trade Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria had previously called upon the British government to work with President Ruto's administration to identify where the late Dedan Kimathi was buried and likewise called for the body's exhumation.
Defending his call, the CS noted that this would allow the government to accord a joint burial to both of the heroes.
DP Rigathi Gachagua interacts with the late Mukami Kimathi (far right) at a hospital in Nairobi on January 15, 2023. /DPPS
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