Ex-MP skips former husband’s burial

Former nominated legislator Emma Mbura’s husband, who died on Monday last week, was buried yesterday at his rural home in Mwarakaya village, Chonyi in Kilifi County.

He had reportedly collapsed and died at his Mombasa residence from what the family said was a heart attack.

Oddly, Emma Mbura (pictured) did not attend the burial, even after telling the press that they had separated seven years ago, but remained in good terms and were co-parenting.

“We had separated but because of our children we were in good terms,’’ she had said.

Hundreds of mourners thronged the village to bid farewell to Raymond Mbura, who was an international chef and a former basketball player.

Emma yesterday told The Standard that she skipped the burial due to family issues and to avoid trouble.

She cited an incident last week where her name was “intentionally omitted” from the obituary in a newspaper announcement.

“I intentionally skipped the burial because I didn’t want to be caught up in chaos,” she said, without elaborating.

Mbura’s body was taken from Jocham Hospital mortuary to Buxton Estate in Mombasa for a brief viewing.

Mombasa Deputy Governor William Kingi condoled with the family on behalf of Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho before the body was taken to Kilifi.

At the burial service, Emma’s name was missing from the list of family members and she was also not listed as one of the speakers.

The deceased’s first born daughter Diana Mbura, who spoke on behalf of the family, downplayed her mother’s absence as she described her late father as a loving and caring person.

She called for unity and urged the extended family to stand with them.

“I have been constantly in touch with my father who has left behind three grandchildren,” she told mourners.

Kenya’s High Commissioner to Zambia Sophine Kombe, who condoled with the family, also brought a condolence message from Lands Chief Administrative Secretary, Gideon Mung’aro. Other mourners who attended the burial were former Mombasa Deputy Governor Hazel Katana and former nominated MCA Mshenga Kisasa.