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Machakos, August 31, 2004

President Mwai Kibaki greets 7yr old Hillary Koech, a grand daughter of the late Paul Ngei during the deceased's burial service at Mbilini, Kangundo, Machakos district. Looking on is the former President Daniel arap Moi.

President Kibaki attends Ngei's burial

Former freedom fighter and long serving cabinet Minister Paul Joseph Ngei was today laid to rest at his Mbilini Home, Kangundo in Machakos district.

The late Ngei, 81, passed away on August 15th at the M.P Shah Hospital after a long illness.

The funeral ceremony was conducted by the Rev. David Mulwa while the sermon was delivered by Bishop Silas Yego of the Africa Inland Church.

President Mwai Kibaki was among thousands of mourners who attended the funeral.

Speaking at the funeral, President Kibaki asked politicians across the political divide to close ranks for the national good.

The President said it was imprudent for leaders to abdicate their responsibilities and scheme the downfall of the others.

He said: “We should unite and work together irrespective of party affiliation in order to realize our national development goals instead of continuously fighting each other.”

Noting that the country’s development was a collective responsibility, President Kibaki said no single leader can go it alone and expect to succeed.

On the issue of the heroes’ corner, the President said it was up to the people to decide and the Government would not impose its will on such an emotive issue.

“The idea of a heroes corner is to have a commemorative site with individual plaques, leaving families to make a choice over the burial site,” he explained.

The President recalled that he knew Paul Ngei during their student days at Makerere University as a straight forward person with principles and ideals that were later to blossom into nationalism of huge proportion.

“Let us all join hands in assisting the family of the departed nationalist as a way of honouring him for his contribution to the country’s independence,” he said.

Eulogizing the late Ngei, former President Daniel Arap Moi said Ngei’s nationalism became evident in the 1940’s when he teamed up with other freedom fighters to oppose colonialism.

He said Ngei had left an indelible mark on the history of the country.

Moi said human beings were sojourners adding that people should live righteous lives so as not to fall short of the glory of God.

Others who addressed the mourners included former freedom fighter Ochieng’ Oneko, Cabinet Ministers and official opposition leader Uhuru Kenyatta.