Former President Uhuru Kenyatta was among a large gathering of political leaders who attended the burial of Mwalimu Jackson Karua, father of People's Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, at Mugumo Primary School in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, on Saturday.





Kenyatta's arrival drew the attention of mourners and leaders already seated, who welcomed him to the venue. Among the opposition figures present were Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang'i, Linda Mwananchi movement leader and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi and several other politicians, reflecting the broad cross-section of Kenya's opposition that turned out for the service.








The gathering of leaders capped a week of public tributes that began shortly after Karua announced her father's death on Sunday, Sept. 28. In her own statement, Karua said she and her siblings had spent time with him at his home in Kirinyaga earlier that day, singing his favourite hymn together, only to receive news of his death on her way back to Nairobi. "But to us, above all, he was a loving father, steady, generous, and present," she said.





President William Ruto was among the first to send condolences, saying Mwalimu Karua "had devoted his life to teaching and service, leaving an impact on many lives." Kenyatta, in a statement issued Monday, Sept. 29, described him as "a man whose life was marked by principled leadership, dedication to education, strong character, and love for his family," and said his values would live on "through his children, grandchildren and all those whose lives he touched." Kalonzo Musyoka visited Karua at her home that same Monday evening to condole with the family in person, telling her: "This evening, I visited my political twin and sister, Hon. Martha Wangari Karua, at her home to condole her and the entire Karua family on the passing of her beloved father, Mwalimu Jackson Karua." Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, former Attorney General Justin Muturi and former Chief Justice David Maraga also sent messages of condolence in the days preceding the burial.