Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has sent a heartfelt message to the family of Peter Kania Kariuki, who was the Secretary General of the Prebyterian Church in East Africa.
Kania, who died on Sunday, July 26, is said to have suffered complications related to Covid-19.
In a statement signed by the Kagwe, the CS stated that Kania was his personal friend and eulogised him as a distinguished church official, who served the church with dedication in various stations.
"Peter was actually a personal friend, and on behalf of the Ministry of Health and on my own behalf, I wish to express our heartfelt condolences to his widow, Nelius Kaniah, his three children, Njeri, Kariuki and Joel and the rest of the family," reads the statement in part.
Kagwe intimated that Kania, together with other religious leaders, visited his office on April 19, 2020, prayed for him and his work in the Ministry in the fight against the pandemic.
"It's unfortunate that the virus took away someone whose work was intended to make things better for our people," reads an excerpt of the statement.
The CS further stated that Kania mobilised 4.5 million church members across East Africa to help those affected during the covid-19 pandemic.
“If many of our people don’t work today, they won’t eat tomorrow. When people are hungry, it’s not about giving them bread for one day. It is about walking with them throughout their period of need," Kania had stated as he rallied Kenyans to donate as little as Ksh50 weekly or give in-kind dry food packages in wake of the pandemic.
Kania hailed from Aguthi-Gaaki Ward in Tetu Constituency, Nyeri County and had served various parishes including Meru, Juja, Dagoretti, Kinoo and Kikuyu.
"The County of Nyeri and the country at large has lost a great son who remained a public servant till his last day. My Ministry has lost a prayer warrior for our work," he concluded.
Kania had a Masters degree in theology, ordained in 1997 and started serving as secretary-general in 2015.
He has since been eulogised by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto as a dedicated evangelist prayer warrior who set an example for his peers.
Kania will be buried on Thursday at the Church of Torch in Thogoto, Kikuyu, the PCEA headquarters.
