KENYA: A Heroic Send-off for the Late Peace Icon Prof. Wangari Maathai

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Submitted by IQ4News on Sun, 09/10/2011 - 9:58am

Members of the public thronged the streets of Nairobi to pay their last respect to Professor Wangari Maathai, a funeral ceremony befitting her heroic status. IQ4News reporter, Joab Apollo, reports from Kenya.

It was a funeral like no other, perhaps the last time Kenyans witnessed such a state send-off was during the burial of former Vice-President, the Late Wamalwas Kijana in 2003.

Crowds began to line up along the streets of Nairobi as early as 6pm to pay their last respect to a heroine they so cherished as a somber mood was manifest in their faces.

They called her "Mama", "an icon" and "a true champion of democracy".

As the cortege was leaving the Lee Funeral Home, where the body had been lying, the interdenominational prayers in her respect was underway at Uhuru Park since the family and the Green Belt Movement Officials had made it clear that body viewing would be an all family affair.

Prayers were conducted by virtually all the denominations in Kenya.

There were Christians, Moslems, Hindus, budhist, the Bahai and members of the tradtitonal African denominations.

The Director of the Green Belt Movement Professor Njoroge Karanja spelt out the programme, stating that only family members would accompany the body at the crematorium and urged those present to plant trees even in their neighbourhood after the function.

The casket was made of papyrus reeds and water hyacinth, signifying how true the Late Wangari Maathai was in her environmenatal cause.

She had left a will that she would not wish her coffin to be made of wood and the family did just that.

The Kenya Police Band and the Kenya Forest Gourda were in tow to accompany the to Uhuru Park. The Kenya National Anthem was played by the Kenya Police Band.

Children Planted trees at the Freedom corner

This was followed by the planting of trees at the venue by the Late Wangari's children and other family members. Then there was a moment of silence as the bells were played by the Anglican Church of Kenya and the All Saints Cathedral.

Pall bearing was done by the Kenya Police. Family Spokesperson Professor Versistine Mbaya was overwelmed by the kind of tribute the late Professor was accorded in her vote of thanks.

The ceremony was concluded by the planting of trees Nationwide. Many Mbers of Parliamet led their constituents in tree planting initiatives.

At the Karura Forest where Wangari and a host of other women were beaten by police in the former KANU regime, there was a special ceremony of tree planting attended by leaders and environmentalists.