Man names Matibas political enemies at funeral mass

The funeral service of the late Kenneth Matiba took an interesting twist after his longtime friend and comrade Joseph Gilbert Kibe called out Matiba’s “enemies” during his fight for multi-party that subsequently led to his detention.

In a humorous twist, Kibe who also read the eulogy started by saying: “I now give myself permission to say how I know Matiba” before starting off a personal narration of the veteran politician’s times in government and politics.

Kibe narrated how Matiba created a lot of political enemies that saw him detained on July 4, 1990 after his proposal to change the Constitution that would see the creation of a multi-party democracy.

According to Kibe, in August, a month after his detention, two motions were moved by Kalonzo Musyoka in Parliament highlighting only what was wrong with Matiba’s proposal to change the Constitution.

In a surprisingly brave move, Kibe sought to call out those who spoke against Matiba at the time as: Retired President Mwai Kibaki, NASA Co-Principal Kalonzo Musyoka,(who were present at the service)  George Muhoho, Francis ole Kaparo, the late Prof. George Saitoti, Nicholas Biwott, Joseph Kamotho, John Keen, Dr Godana, David Mwenje, Zachary Onyonka, Philip Leakey and Bob Francis Jalangó.

“They were so horrified, they thought Matiba would change the management of this country,” said Kibe.

Kibe further told the mourners how the late John Keen even produced a list of the cabinet he was going to have to run the country noting that the government at the time was so “horrified” that Matiba would change the management of the country irregularly.

This, he claimed, was the reason for his detention finishing off his address by saying that Matiba “Lost the battle but won the war.”

President Uhuru Kenyatta led mourners at the All Saints Cathedral for the memorial service.

The President was also joined by Retired President Mwai Kibaki, NASA Co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka, Moses Wetangula ,Musalia Mudavadi,Transport CS James Macharia ,Mama Ngina Kenyatta, Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua among others.

Matiba’s body will leave Lee Funeral home for Ihura Stadium in Murang’a County tomorrow for yet another funeral service.

The veteran politician died on Sunday, April 15 at the Karen Hospital in Nairobi after a long illness.