The father of second liberation seems to have continued with many of his firsts even after passing on as he had wished to be cremated which is not the norm in his home area, may his soul rest in peace.
According to Matiba’s will, he stated that he would be cremated and not buried and the family had to do just that.
Some of the elders in his home area at Ihura said it was against tradition and a man of his stature would have been buried by elderly men and also have a grave to visit for remembrance.
However, they would not defy his wish as he had lived to fight for the rights of others specially while he defied the single party rule.
After two requiems on consecutive days in Nairobi and Ihura Stadium, Matiba’s remains were cremated at Langata cemetery crematorium where the private ceremony was exclusive to close friends and family only. Even the media could only capture the procession to and from the crematorium.
Leaders from all over the country converged at his final send off ceremony in Murang’a county where the body was taken home first by family members for the last time before proceeding to the stadium for the public ceremony.
See Photos of procession to and the requiem at Ihura Stadium on Thursday below: