John Keen to be buried on Friday

Veteran Maasai politician John Keen will be buried on Friday at his Namanga farm in Kajiado County.

On  Monday, a source close to the family told reporters that a requiem mass and Maasai funeral rites for the late Keen will be conducted on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

The late Keen, a former Assistant Minister in President Daniel Moi’s government, passed on Sunday, December 25 at 3:00am at the Aga Khan Hospital while undergoing treatment.

The Maasai leader was a vocal defender of the Maasai Community and served as the Kajiado North Member of Parliament for over a decade.

Mr Keen was unwell for some time and had recently travelled to South Africa for treatment.

Born to a German father, Keen was among the biggest land owners in the country and sensitized the Maa Community on the importance of defending their land.

In September this year, Mr Keen was admitted at a Nairobi hospital after suffering health complications.

On Sunday, leaders including President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto, Opposition leaders including Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka eulogized Mr Keen as a great leader whose generosity benefited many people.