Former Mungiki sect leader Maina Njenga with Bishop Margaret Wanjiru
More than 1,000 matatus, buses and private vehicles, each festooned with a red ribbon. About 20,000 mourners – most in brand-new black or white suits. Four hardwood caskets decorated with fresh orange and white flowers.
Ms Nyakio, 28, a mother of three, was the wife of Mungiki sect founder Maina Njenga. The others were acting sect chairman Charles Wagacha, 36, treasurer Naftali Irungu, 36, and Ms Nyakio’s driver George Njoroge, 37.
Former Mungiki sect leader Maina Njenga with Bishop Margaret Wanjiru of Jesus Is Alive Ministries and a former coordinator of the sect Ndura Waruinge during Saturday’s burial of Mr Njenga’s wife Virginia Nyakio
More than 1,000 matatus, buses and private vehicles, each festooned with a red ribbon. About 20,000 mourners – most in brand-new black or white suits. Four hardwood caskets decorated with fresh orange and white flowers.
This was just a glimpse of the emotion and colour of the sendoff ceremony for Virginia Nyakio and three former leaders of the Mungiki sect at Kitengela on Satuday.
Ms Nyakio, 28, a mother of three, was the wife of Mungiki sect founder Maina Njenga. The others were acting sect chairman Charles Wagacha, 36, treasurer Naftali Irungu, 36, and Ms Nyakio’s driver George Njoroge, 37.
The four were killed in April 2008 in separate incidents during a police crackdown on members of the outlawed sect.
Since Friday, sect members from Nairobi, Central and parts of Rift Valley provinces converged on Nairobi and Kitengela township before making their way to Mr Njenga’s home in Kitengela about six kilometres off the main road.
But on Saturday, it was an early arrival at Umash Funeral Services where the fourbodies had been placed in the caskets by 10 a.m.
The convoy of about 250 vehicles snaked its way to Kitengela through Isinya, avoiding Mombasa Road and Athi River due to unexpected traffic snarl-ups.
At exactly 1.40 p.m., the cortege arrived at Mr Njenga’s home and moved to the ceremony ground in the compound 30 minutes later.
Mourners who were quietly lined up in two queues for about a kilometre towards the home pushed and shoved, momentarily blocking three hearses carrying the bodies.
Ms Nyakio’s body was transported in a brand-new Mercedes Benz.
Three hundred and twenty young men, all in black suits and dark glasses, kept vigil and controlled the crowd.
Only close relatives, pastors of Jesus is Alive Ministries and journalists were allowed entry into the main house.
The ceremony began at 3.05 p. m. with Bishop Margaret Wanjiru conducting the service. AIPCA head Archbishop Samson Gaitho led the group of religious leaders at the main dais while Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu and lawyer Paul Muite were the main politicians present.
Ten minutes to the end of the service, a handful of youths rolled out a red carpet as they got ready to receive Ms Nyakio’s casket at the graveside.
It was lowered into the grave at 5.05 p.m. During the service, mourners refused to be addressed by Mr Waititu, saying he turns off his mobile phone whenever they need his assistance.
He was only allowed to address them after Mr Njenga intervened and said the MP had played a major role in offsetting the mortuary fees that amounted to more than Sh5 million. After Ms Nyakio’s burial, the other caskets were transported to another farm a kilometre away for burial.
Former sect members bought the farm, the widows are to be settled there soon.
Ndura Waruinge, former Mungiki coordinator and Mr Njenga’s cousin, spoke on behalf of Mr Njenga’s family.
He said: “We started this journey together (to empower the youth), and we are still together.”
In his address, Mr Njenga said he and the youths had prayed facing Mt Kenya for 20 years, and it was time to change.
As the ceremony progressed, the youths in black were strategically placed at five-metre intervals and monitored the mourners’ every move.
