The family of Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on Saturday, August 5, honoured the memory of his father Gideon Kioko Mbuvi Kivanguli who passed in September 2015.
Celebrating the five-year anniversary since his death, the family put a full page feature on The Standard newspaper which according to sources familiar with the newspaper's rate card, can cost to an upward of Ksh500,000 for a full-page advertisement for a day.
In the coloured tribute, the family poured their hearts out at the patriarch's role in shaping their lives.
"Exactly five years today, you slid quietly into eternity. Time stood still but it can never erase your presence in our lives. Death may end life but not a relationship. We remember you as a wonderful gift from God, our pillar of strength.
"You are still in our hearts, your memories linger, sweetly, tenderly, fondly and truly. We miss you dearly. Your amazing life was a blessing to us, the memory of your deed a treasure, your passing left a void beyond words and your absence a pain beyond measure," the family observed.
They observed that they would not have an annual memorial ceremony as was the tradition due to the Ministry of Health's guidelines on the holding of events.
During his burial in 2015, Sonkos’ dad, who died at the age of 66, was laid to rest in a coffin that was encrusted with gold and diamond imitations.
The coffin was ferried from Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi by a convoy of more than 60 top-of-the-range vehicles and 10 outrider motorbikes.
Sonko has over the years held elaborate events complete with media coverage. In 2018, he held a two-day free medical camp in honour of his father.
However, in 2019, Sonko was a no-show at the annual celebrations as he was at the time facing corruption charges.
He was represented by his wife Primrose Mbuvi.
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