All set for the burial of Speaker Kingi’s father in Kilifi

Family, friends and relatives gather beside the body of Mzee Kingi Mwaruwa Mkweha, the father of Senate Speaker Amason Kingi/HANDOUT

 

All is set for the burial of Mzee Kingi Mwaruwa Mkweha, the father of Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, in Kilifi County on Friday.

The speaker on Thursday indicated that they had picked the body at Pandya Memorial Hospital Mortuary in Mombasa and set off for Adu, Kamale village in Kilifi County for a memorial service, ahead of his burial tomorrow.

The family said the funeral service for Mkweha will be held on Friday at 9 am at Kamale Primary School.

It will be followed by internment - the placing of a corpse in a grave - at his home.

Mzee passed away on February 9, while receiving treatment at the ICU of Pandya Memorial Hospital, Mombasa.

His family eulogised him as a man of wisdom, kindness and unwavering strength.

Announcing the sad news in an emotional statement on Sunday, Speaker Kingi recounted the highs and lows of their life together.

"Dad, our Patriarch Mzee Kingi Mwaruwa has rested. I’m completely broken, Dad, especially when I remember the painful journey and struggles that you went through to make me who I am today," he said.

Family, friends and relatives gather beside the body of Mzee Kingi Mwaruwa Mkweha, the father of Senate Speaker Amason Kingi/HANDOUT

Kingi said the father lived a challenging life characterised by many ailments that often pinned him down.

The speaker at the same time highlighted a key moment of their life, during the 2024 December holidays, when they danced together in celebration.

"Since I attained adulthood, I don’t remember ever dancing with you, Dad. Not until December 24, 2024, during Christmas at Mjanaheri village, when, for the very first time, we danced, danced and danced together until sunset," Kingi said.

"Your face beamed with joy. We were not just celebrating Christmas but giving thanks to the Almighty for your remarkable recovery after years of battling many ailments. I didn’t know that dance would be the first and last with you, dad."

In a condolence message to the family, President William Ruto described Mkweha as a man who was respected, progressive, and hardworking.

His National Assembly counterpart Moses Wetangula has also condoled Kingi’s family, promising to stand with them through the mourning period.