Carole Argwings-Kodhek, the daughter of Kenya's first indigenous African lawyer and independence hero Clement Michael George (CMG) Argwings-Kodhek, will be laid to rest on Tuesday, July 14, following her death earlier this month.
According to a family announcement, Carole passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 4, with her loved ones by her side.
In keeping with her wishes, she will be interred in a private ceremony, while a memorial service celebrating her life will be announced at a later date.
Family members and friends are expected to gather for a condolence service at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi on Tuesday at 5pm ahead of the private burial.
Carole is survived by her daughters Caroline Armstrong and Samantha Argwings-Kodhek, her son-in-law Michael Ogwapit and her grandson Storm.
She also leaves behind her siblings Shirley, Amanda, Paul, Gem, Caesar and Sharon, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Although she was widely known as the daughter of one of Kenya's foremost legal and political pioneers, Carole built a distinguished career of her own in business and media.
She served in media senior executive positions.
She also became one of the strongest custodians of her father's legacy, regularly sharing his story and reminding younger generations of the role he played in Kenya's struggle for independence and the development of the country's legal profession.
Carole was the first child of CMG Argwings-Kodhek and Mavis Tate.
She was only 14 years old when her father died in a road crash in January 1969, cutting short the career of one of Kenya's most influential nationalist leaders.
CMG Argwings-Kodhek made history as Kenya's first indigenous African barrister after qualifying in Britain before returning home to practise law during the colonial era.
He became renowned for defending Mau Mau suspects and other African nationalists at a time when legal representation for freedom fighters was limited.
Following independence, he served in government, including as Minister for Foreign Affairs and later Minister for Housing, while remaining an influential voice in shaping the country's early post-independence leadership.
His contribution to the nation continues to be recognised through Argwings Kodhek Road, one of Nairobi's best-known roads.
The nearly four-kilometre road stretches from Ralph Bunche Road in Upper Hill through Hurlingham towards Valley Arcade in Lavington and today serves as one of the city's busiest commercial and residential corridors.
Lined with offices, shopping centres, restaurants and residential developments, the road carries thousands of motorists daily and stands as a lasting reminder of the lawyer and statesman whose name it bears.
The road was renamed in his honour after his death following a car crash along the same route in 1969, a tragedy that has remained part of Kenya's political history.
Throughout her life, Carole ensured that her father's story remained alive through public engagements and historical conversations, helping preserve the memory of one of the country's founding legal minds.
Her family has appealed for continued prayers, love and support as they prepare to lay her to rest, saying details of a public memorial service celebrating her life will be communicated in due course.
