The late veteran politician Nginyo Kariuki's grandson, Kevin Wambu, lit up mourners with his splendid oratory skills in his address during the businessman's burial on Tuesday, March 3, that was aired on Live TV.
Speaking in Tigoni, Kiambu County, Wambu recounted the close relationship he enjoyed with his late grandfather, in which former Prime Minister Raila Odinga featured prominently as a subject of discussion.
Kevin stated that he was inspired by Odinga and wanted to follow in his footsteps then begging him (Raila) to offer mentorship into the murky world of politics.
"I have lost my political mentor. I used to go to his place every Sunday after reading the Sunday Nation when politics was at its peak. In the paper, Raila had made some moves and I used to tell my grandfather that the former prime minister was a great politician. Teach me to be like him.
"He usually told me, 'I will teach you the right way to do politics. He used to teach me every single thing and I used to campaign with him," he stated.
"I promised him that one day, because I loved the country, I would join politics. So I am the new politician in this family," he added, leaving the crowd in stitches.
Kevin further noted that he was incredibly saddened by his grandfather's demise, knowing that after he achieves great milestones in politics, his mentor would not be around to witness.
"I feel sad he will not be there when I become a Member of Parliament and Raila, please help me. You are now my political grandfather.
"My grandpa rest well, I do not want to lengthen my speech because I will divulge into Building Bridges issues and I do not want to," he concluded while leaving the stage.
Kariuki, who was a renowned businessman and helped found President Uhuru Kenyatta's defunct TNA Party, passed away aged 82 on Monday, February 24.
He reportedly died at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi.
Kariuki was also the owner of Nginyo Towers on Nairobi's Moktar Daddah street among several other businesses. He was also a farmer, golfer and was behind the Lenana Mount Hotel which was among ventures in his vast Nginyo Investments portfolio.
