The family of the late Charles Mugane Njonjo has come out to share details of his last moments before his demise on Sunday, December 2.
Speaking on behalf of the family his son-in-law, Carey Ngini, revealed that the ‘Duke of Kabeteshire’ as Njonjo was commonly referred to, was full of life on Saturday, January 1, spending the new year with them.
The same night Njonjo, who was the only surviving member of Kenya’s first Cabinet in 1963, engaged his son-in-law among other family members in lengthy conversations on a wide range of topics.
During that time, he started showing some signs of weakness while speaking to the family but preceded to sleep.
But at around 5.15 am in the morning, Sunday, January, 2 he started experiencing difficulties in breathing. His personal doctor, David Silverstein, who also served late President Daniel Moi, declared him dead a few minutes later.
According to Ngini, his death was a peaceful one, and took his last breathe surrounded by his family members.
Revealing his cause of death, Ngini noted that the doctor confirmed he succumbed to pneumonia, after his lungs collapsed.
"Njonjo has been unwell for quite a while. He was battling one ailment to another despite his age. But this morning (Sunday) at around 5.15 am he breathed his last. It was actually as a result of pneumonia. His passing was peaceful as he was surrounded by his family members," Ngini stated.
He added," Last night (Saturday) we had some interesting conversations together. His memory was well but he showed some signs of weakness.
The late veteran politician who has witnessed the rule of four regimes since independence, also issued strict instructions to the family ordering them to cremate his remains immediately after his death is confirmed.
The family already fulfilled his wishes by cremating his body at Kariokor Hindu Crematorium. Before that, the body was taken to Lee Funeral Home, where it was prepared for interment.
"He was very clear of what he wanted in death. Part of those instructions was that he should be cremated immediately after his passing. He didn't want any funfair or any celebration. He did not want what goes on in funerals offered to people of his stature."
Ngini pleaded with the nation to support the family left behind including his widow, Margaret Bryson, whom he married at the age of 51 in 1972, his three children, Wairimu Njonjo, Nimu Njonjo, and Josiah Njonjo, and his grandchildren.
"What we can do now is rally around his widow, his children, and his grandchildren so that we try and maintain his legacy."
Njonjo died at his Muthaiga home in Nairobi County at the age of 101 marking an end of an era. President Uhuru Kenyatta leading the nation in mourning the country's first Attorney General noted that his demise is not a blow to Kenya but the entire continent.
"As a nation, we owe a debt of gratitude to Hon. Njonjo and his generation of independence era leaders for their selfless contribution to the laying of the solid foundation upon which our country continues to thrive," Uhuru stated.
He added," Kenya's progressive constitutional and legal regime owes its robustness to Hon. Njonjo's splendid work when he served as the country's first post-independence Attorney General between 1963 and 1979, and as Constitutional Affairs Minister between 1980 and 1983."
According to the family, Njonjo would be remembered for his great contribution to the country especially for reforms in different sectors.
“For those 100 years [of his life] that we’ve seen, almost 102, shy by 21 days, we want to thank God for his life. His legacy is intact. I think that is clear."
