What was meant to be a decent send-off for Jonah Rotich, Ababu Namwamba's long-time bodyguard and aide, turned chaotic as family tension spilt over during his burial.
The emotional ceremony was held on June 4 and took an unexpected turn when Rotich's brother publicly accused his wife of mistreating him during his lifetime.
Rotich, who had served as Namwamba’s bodyguard for 18 years, was laid to rest in Eldoret, in an event flanked by dignitaries, family members, and close friends in attendance.
Among those present was the Kenya's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), Namwamba himself, with his partner, Amy Lucia, who had joined the family in paying their last respect to the long-time aide.
However, the funeral took a dramatic turn when Rotich’s brother took to the podium to deliver his remarks. In an emotionally charged speech, he alleged that his brother had endured immense pressure at home.
"Jonah had a lot of pressure. He told me that he was okay with his work and enjoyed working for Ababu for 18 years. He never had any problem with his boss, but his home was like a slaughterhouse for him," the brother alleged, sending murmurs into the crowd.
As he continued to speak, Rotich’s widow, visibly angered by the accusations, stormed the podium and confronted him.
A tense moment ensued as she pointed at him aggressively, leading to a physical altercation before other mourners intervened to separate them.
The ceremony had to come to a standstill for a moment, with the choir interluding with songs to calm the situation. Eventually, the tension cooled down, and the ceremony continued.
In his tribute to the bodyguard, Namwamba described Rotich as someone more than a mere bodyguard, but a person who was considered a family member for the time he had served them.
According to Namwamba, Rotich's loyalty and service to his family have left an indelible mark on his life.
"The relationship I have had with this good man is a big lesson to those who preach tribal jingoism and ethnic divisions in this country. It is a big lesson that it is not of any value," Namwamba said.
Namwamba revealed that Rotich lost his life after battling multiple health challenges, a battle he had borne with admirable courage and stoicism.
