We are saddened to announce the death of  Bedan Muthinji of Daytona Beach, Florida. He was declared dead at 7:30 pm Monday, June 1st, 2020 at Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach, FL.

Bedan had an accidental pool drowning on Saturday, May 23rd, 2020, which caused severe brain damage.

Bedan’s body is in Daytona waiting to be shipped to Kenya for burial as per parent’s wish.

1. Daily prayers and fellowship will continue at Bedan’s residence starting at 7.30 PM (address: 1025 S beach street Apt 190 Daytona beach Florida, 32114)
2. A memorial service will be announced later.
3. In Kenya, friends and family are meeting at Mama Bedan’s home in Kangema, Muranga.
4. Budget: To ensure that our brother can be taken on his final journey home (Kenya), we urgently need to raise $12,000$. This includes funds for the Funeral Home charges, Embalming, Transportation to Kenya, the burial site and other charges.

Kindly contribute whatever you can by using one of the modes:

• CashApp to: Evan Kiburu 386-405-2603( $EvanKiburu)
• $NeliusThuita 443-525-7915
• GoFundMe
• Zelle Name : Evan Kiburu ([email protected])

1947 – 2020

When his younger sister Chelagat Mutai ventured into politics, Januarius Kipleting Mutai had his ambitions on qualifying as an engineer.

The mention of Chelagat conjures memories of a shrewd politician who became Kalenjin’s first elected woman MP at 25, after her graduation from the University of Nairobi in 1974.

Januarius, or Jan Mutai as he was popularly known, had graduated two years earlier from the same university with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Jan was born in 1947 and Chelagat in 1949. The latter was more vocal. The siblings from Terige village of Lessos in Nandi County are known as a brilliant and steadfast son and daughter of the community apart from being trailblazers.

Chelagat died in 2013 and was always described as a heroine in the second liberation struggle who pushed for land rights and democratic space in the society. Jan, who passed on last week, was cremated in a private ceremony in Nairobi yesterday. His family said that Jan’s will for cremation was unanimously granted, although some members and residents of Nandi wished he was interred at his Lessos home for them to honour him for his immense contribution in education, agriculture and environmental conservation across the country.

Jan, who was appointed by former President Daniel Moi as Kenya Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (KPTC) managing director in 1995, died from metastatic cancer on the night of May 30.

His funeral service was held on Thursday (June 4, 2020) at St Paul’s Chapel Catholic Church in Nairobi and the family, relatives and friends met the following day at Aga Khan Hospital Mortuary, viewed the body and held prayers before the family left for the private cremation.

But some residents and his Kaboch clan were against cremation and wanted Jan, a staunch Catholic, to be interred at his home where he left a mark in development.

“Jan was a role model to all and was a leader of high stature. We did not expect cremation for his last respects. This, however, could not be reversed because the family endorsed his will,” said Christopher Lagat, the family’s neighbour and former councillor for Kilibwoni.

Lagat said that with the current guidelines meant to prevent Covid-19 infections, few mourners could have attended an interment at Jan’s home.

“As his funeral mass was being held in Nairobi, a parallel service took place at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Lessos Parish. It was attended by about 20 people. Kenneth Melly, a relative who spoke on behalf of the family members who met at Jan’s Terige home, said they reached out to residents through several meetings urging them to understand Jan’s will to be cremated.

“Jan was a principled engineer who stood by his decisions. His wish to be cremated superseded everything, although some family members and residents were against it. Some issues are confidential and a panel of elders who had been reached by Jan over the will answered to his wishes,” Melly said.

Kipkorir Birgen, a former communication director in Nandi County, described Jan as a trailblazer who will inspire Nandi folk to consider cremation.

“Jan was also a leading environmentalist who was against felling of trees without planting new seedlings,” Birgen said.

Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter described Jan as a brilliant leader who mentored many into engineering. The MP said Jan was instrumental in the establishment of Koitaleel Samoei University College in Nandi County where he chaired the steering committee.

RK Ngala, the council chairman of Koitaleel Samoei University College, sent a message of condolence to the family on behalf of students and the management.

Celebrating the life of Mrs Harriet Namataka Owinyi

On November 11, 1958 in Budadiri village on the ridges of Mt Elgon in Mbale, Uganda, Gladys (Harriet) Namataka became the sixth child born to Enock and Rebecca Zesaguli.

She attended Makuyu Primary, pursued her secondary education at Bubulo Girls’ and later joined Nabinsusa Girls’ before pursuing A-level studies at Mbale Secondary. It was at Nabinsusa that she christened herself Harriet, in keeping with a trend for adopting unique names.

In 1973, Harriet joined the University of Nairobi for a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She turned down an opportunity to study law in Tanzania and instead taught English and Literature at State House Girls’, Kakamega School and Mukumu Boys’, where she remained until retirement in 2015.

To the teaching fraternity, Harriet brought passion, vivaciousness and authenticity, qualities which saw her establish lasting relationships.

One of her students said, “She was a master of her craft – a teacher who never gave up on any of us and hardly used negative words on laggards. To her there was no bad student, only slow learners who, given time, would improve. She was a teacher of hope. We always looked forward to her lessons. When not in class on time, a delegation would be sent to the staff room to look for her.”

It was no wonder, therefore, that the late Elly Kefa Owinyi, of EK Owinyi & Co. Advocates, fell in love with Harriet and married her. They had five children – Derrick Lwatati (Rafiki Microfinance Bank), Ronnie Masanga (Mars Wrigley), the late Linah, Allan Mola (EK Owinyi & Co. Advocates) and Jill Namatsi (Nation Media Group).

So much of a firebrand was Harriet that her children nicknamed her Hurricane Gladys. Her fighting power was clear even as she battled with health complications from April 2018. She suffered high blood pressure and arthritis and was later diagnosed with acute kidney injuries, multiple organ dysfunction, sepsis and a heart condition. She was treated at Avenue, Nairobi South and Ruai Family hospitals, the latter at which she died on June 3, 2020.

Harriet’s family thanks all who supported them throughout her illness and until the final rites were performed on June 8. These are her daughters-in-law Lucy Muthoni, Jacky Kwonyike and Eva Odongo; the Zesaguli families in Uganda and the UK and the Otiende family in Kakamega; the Nairobi Lighthouse Church led by pastors Nelson Gichohi and Kevin Malu; Avenue, Nairobi South and Ruai Family hospitals; Doctors George Moturi and Victor Ng’ani; Rafiki Microfinance, Mars Wrigley and NMG; the Kakamega School Alumni Association led by William Ojonyo (Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association), the Mumias Boys’ Old Boys Association, USIU-Africa’s Gemba class of 2014 and the Nairobi School Class of 1995; Siginon Group, members of the Law Society of Kenya led by President Nelson Havi, Justices Dorah Chepkwony and Wilfrida Osodo, Omugolfers Reloaded, Gang Deh and KYRC.

Rest in peace, dear mama.

Missing you always, remembering you forever.

It is with deep sorrow and humble acceptance of God’s will that we announce the death of Teresia Kabura Kinyuab which occurred on 8th June, 2020.

She was the Daughter of the late Francis Kariuki Mung’othi and Bridget Wanjiru Kariuki. Loving wife of John Kinyua Gathogo. Mother of Rose Wanjiru (Carol), Brenda Wambui and James Mwangi. In-law to the late John Ngugi and Damaris Wanjiru. Mother-in-law to Jeff Njuguna. Grandmother of Jeremy Ngugi, lmani Wanjiru and Taji Ngugi. Daughter-in-law of Mary Wambui. Sister of Lucy Njoki,Agatha Mwihaki, Cecilia Waithira, Agnes Muthoni, Anastacia Wanja, Peter Mburu, Christine Mugure, Martha Merl. Sister-in-Law of the late Ann Wanjeri, Ruth Nyawira, Geoffrey Mwangi, Richard Muriithi and Samuel Wamai.Aunty and cousin to Many.

Family and Friends are holding virtual prayers and meetings to prepare for burial.

The cortege leaves KU hospital mortuary on Wednesday 17th June 2020 at 7:00am. Funeral will be at her home in Ruiru Kimbo.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2nd Timothy 4:7”

It is with humble acceptance of God’s will that we announce the untimely passing on of Mama Agnes Moraa Orwoba on 2nd June, 2020.

She was the daughter of the late Daniel Obwoge and the late Metobel Ogake. Wife of the late David Omwoyo Orwoba. Daughter-in-law of the late Jonathan Orwoba and Yunes Bironga. Sister in-law of Abel, Isaac, Tabitha and Delilah Orwoba.

Mother of Grace Kwamboka Ogutu, Moses Nyagaka Omwoyo, Jane Bikeri Makori, Kefa Mokua Omwoyo, Shem Nyantina Orosu and Rose Nyambeki Omwoyo. Mother-in-law to Prof. Zadoc Ogutu (MP Bomachoge Borabu Constituency), Lillian Lang’at, Makori Onchoka, Joyce Ombui and Winfrida Ogeko. Sister of Martha, Teresia, late Doris, Loice, Lucia, Eunice, Bikeri, Luka, Nyabuto, Masson, late Kwamboka, late Matongo, late Charles, late Thomas, late Otisa and late Onditia. Grandmother of Robert, Milla, Peggy, Edwin, Loice, Davis, Faith Nyanduko, David Ogutu, Lewis, Rose, David Mokua, Winnie, Cyrus, Huldah, Bildad, Angela, Brian, Clare, Faith Bravin, David, Junior, Variette, Javelin, Libin, Beethoven and Six great grandchildren.

The funeral service and burial ceremony will be on 15th June, 2020 at Sameta Market, Mokwerero Ward, Kisii County.

2nd Timothy 4:7-8