The family of the late Mau Mau General Kiambati wa Njora has appealed to the government and well-wishers to help them clear pending bills incurred during his burial held on February 14 this year.
Speaking to the press at their home in Ngorika Village, Nyandarua County, family members said they are under mounting pressure from suppliers demanding payment for goods and services provided during the funeral. They dismissed claims circulating on social media and in political circles that millions of shillings were contributed toward the burial, terming the figures exaggerated and largely unfulfilled.
According to the family, outstanding debts currently stand at close to Sh1 million. They maintained that all contributions received were handed over to the main funeral committee and insisted that no funds were misappropriated.
Maina Kiambati, a son of the late general, criticised what he described as the politicisation of his father’s burial. He alleged that disagreements between government and opposition leaders over who would preside over the funeral arrangements created confusion and disrupted planning.
“There are things that happened during the burial. We witnessed a lot of politics, with claims that the government was in a row with the opposition about who would bury our father. This resulted in a lot of negative impact, with expenses surpassing what political leaders had pledged and not honoured,” said Maina.
He said the family had expected pledges made publicly by leaders to be honoured, but this did not happen, leaving them with a heavy financial burden. He urged well-wishers and friends of the family to step in and help settle the outstanding bills.
The family also expressed disappointment with the Ministry of Culture, claiming it has not fully honoured its commitments to support Mau Mau war veterans and their families during burial arrangements. They argued that General Kiambati deserved greater recognition for his contribution to the liberation struggle.
Jeremiah Miano, the sixth-born child, said the family felt their father was not accorded the respect befitting a Mau Mau veteran of his stature. He appealed to individuals who have publicly claimed to have donated money to refrain from making such statements, insisting that the family continues to grapple with unpaid debts.
“We are still struggling with bills amounting to nearly Sh1 million. Those who claim to have given huge amounts should understand that we are the ones facing suppliers every day,” he said.
Eunice Njeri, a daughter of the late general, said the county government had promised to be fully involved in ensuring a dignified send-off. However, she lamented that only food for one day was catered for, leaving the family to shoulder other costs.
“I thought after burying my father we would have peace, but suppliers have been knocking on my door asking for payment. It has been overwhelming,” she said.
The family is now calling on the government, leaders and members of the public to help them offset the outstanding bills and restore dignity to the memory of their father.
By Antony Mwangi
