Deputy President William Ruto was among leaders who condoled with Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi at a requiem mass for his mother on Thursday, January 7.
President Uhuru Kenyatta had condoled with the family at their home on the night of Wednesday, January 6.
Uhuru’s brother, Muhoho Kenyatta, spoke on behalf of the Kenyatta family at the mass while Devolution Cabinet Secretary read the President’s official speech.
Mama Hannah Mudavadi passed away on the morning of December 28, 2020 at Nairobi Hospital where she was undergoing treatment. She was 92 years old.
The requiem mass was held at Friends International Church along Ngong’ Road in Nairobi.
Other than Ruto, other leaders in attendance included National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula, Jubilee Party Vice-Chairman David Murathe and Makueni Senator Kivutha Kibwana.
Mama Mudavadi was hailed as a wise, nurturing presence who wanted the best for her family and the country.
She will be buried at her home in Sabatia, Vihiga County on Saturday, January 9.
Many of those who spoke touched on their past interactions with Mama Mudavadi and the larger Mudavadi family.
Among them was Busia Senator Amos Wako, a former Attorney General. He stated that much of the progress he made in life could be traced back to the support of the Mudavadi family.
“I enjoyed the warm hospitality of Mama Hannah and I was always treated as a member of the Mudavadi family.
“We will stand together in good and bad times. The loss of a mother is painful no matter the age,” he stated.
Hailing the late Mama Mudavadi as a uniting figure, Bungoma Senator Wetangula urged Kenyans to espouse her strong values on family and unity.
Echoing the message, Muhoho noted that the theme of unity was a key to fostering development across the country.
In his speech, Ruto noted that Mama Hannah deserved praise for the role she played in the lives of her late husband, Moses Mudavadi, and her son, Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi.
“When you lose family, you need people to stand with you and that is why we are here…But I want to tell you (Mudavadi) that the great comforter is God himself,” he asserted.
