- President Ruto enjoyed a cordial relationship with Patel.
- He will visit the family at their residence and then attend the cremation thereafter.
Image: HANDOUT
The late Mombasa Cement Ltd CEO Hasmukh Patel will be cremated on Sunday in Mombasa with President William Ruto expected to be in attendance, the Star has learnt.
This explains why the body of Patel was preserved at the Pandya Memorial Hospital morgue, unlike the Hindu traditions.
According to Hindu death rituals, the body should remain at home until cremation, which is usually within 24 hours of the death.
Due to the short time frame of Hindu cremation, embalming is considered unnecessary.
It is also customary for family and friends to visit the home of the bereaved to offer their sympathy and condolences.
Sources close to the family hinted at the Star that there was a special request for the delay of the cremation but they would not state why.
The Star however learnt that President Ruto, who will have completed his Nyanza tour, will be flying to Mombasa at the weekend.
President Ruto enjoyed a cordial relationship with Patel.
He will visit the family at their residence and then attend the cremation thereafter.
Ruto will also be in Mombasa for the ASK Show set for next week.
Image: BRIAN OTIENO
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka was expected to jet into Mombasa on Friday evening and then head to Patel’s expansive residence in Nyali to condole with his family.
“Yes, he is coming down to Mombasa in the evening and the plan is to visit the family. That is all I can say for now,” a source from Kalonzo’s team told the Star.
Ibrahim ‘Babangida’ Khamis, the chair of the board of Sahajanad Special School, a charity project run by Patel, said there is no need to worry for the special needs learners saying the school will continue serving special needs children.
The school has over 1,500 special needs learners.
The Sahajanand Special School also runs alongside the KP Senior Secondary School and KP Junior Primary School for able-bodied persons.
“We condole with the family. We humbly ask the family to continue with the good that he used to do for the learners, the special needs children and the general public at large,” Babangida said.
Mvita MP Mohamed Machele said the education sector has landed a big blow due to the demise of Patel.
“Hasuu had a big heart and a light hand. He helped society wherever and whenever he could, especially in the health and education sectors,” Machele said.
He called on the family and the people close to him to continue his legacy of giving to help him get rewarded in heaven.
Mvita NG-CDF chair Ali Bafundi said all humans must taste death.
“He will be remembered for the good deeds he used to do. It is also a challenge for other able people to copy him and help the community in any way they can.
“Patel’s departure will leave big holes in every sector,” Bafundi said.