Joe Nyagah funeral underway in Mbeere

Leaders attend the funeral of Joseph Nyagah in Mbeere South on December 19, 2020.

Former Cabinet minister Joseph Nyagah’s funeral is underway at the family home in Mbeti South Ward, Mbeere South constituency.

At the service are ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, governors Martin Wambora and Anyang Nyongo, CSs Sicily Kariuki, Najib Balala, Mutahi Kagwe and Amina Mohamed. All six Embu MPs are also present.

The family intends to fulfill his burial wishes, including that of not allowing anyone to view his body.

As political as it may sound to some quarters, the family maintained they would respect their kin’s wish that new clothing should not be bought for his burial. Instead, he will be buried in clothes he has won before.

Nyagah died on December 11 at a hospital in Nairobi. He was 72 years old.

Family sources told Standard Digital he had been battling Covid-19.

Former Cabinet minister Joseph Nyagah.

Nyagah’s younger brother Norman Nyagah, and widow Esther, revealed that Joe, will be buried next to his grandfather’s grave facing the hills of Mbeere as per his wishes.

Speaking at the family home in Mbeere South on December 17, Norman said the family had agreed that the ACK Nairobi Bishop Rev Joel Waweru would lead the funeral service assisted by Embu diocese clergy.

He observed that Joe was a neat man who “used to iron his own clothes” and since he was no more, his eldest son would carry out the task.

“We cannot send him off in a wrinkled shirt. Never,” Norman said. “His son Jeremiah John Mwaniki Nyagah will take care of the ironing.”

Dr Michael Ndonye, a political economist of media and communication, remembers  Nyagah as being charismatic and that it helped him fend off criticism. 

“When constituents complained about a feeder road that needed repairs, he would tell his personal assistant to write down the complaint and remind him to present a motion on the matter in Parliament.

“Such statements were reciprocated with standing ovations and ululations.”