Senior Counsel David Maure Waihiga, the father to Citizen TV news anchor Wahiga Mwaura, emotionally narrated how he learnt of his daughter's, Lil Gathoni Mwaura, demise on Thursday, April 14.
According to Maure, his 32-year-old daughter passed away a day before her mother's, Lady Justice Anna Ngibuini, birthday.
In the memorial that was held at Citam Church, the Agano Party presidential hopeful explained that the family did not have a chance to bid goodbye to Gathoni, but only learnt of her demise through an early morning phone call.
Maure further disclosed that the death caught the entire family by surprise as they had made plans for her career and life in general.
"We were not expecting it. There are times when you can tell that someone is ready to go but this one, no. We had hopes, there were expectations and plans for her.
"Then one morning we are getting this call at 7 o'clock telling me to come to Karen Hospital very fast. It was a day before Good Friday and I had dressed up. As I was driving towards Karen Hospital, we were told that is not where you are supposed to go! Come to Lee Funeral. I even put the phone on speaker so that my wife could hear we were being called to Lee Funeral," Wahiga's dad emotionally narrated.
The staunch Christian revealed that the death had broken the family belief anchored on long and healthy life.
"We are still coming to terms but God is helping and encouraging us. I never saw my family members go before the age of 70 years," the Senior Counsel stated.
Anne Githuku read the eulogy on behalf of the family, revealing Gathoni's struggle with other forms of illnesses.
"On Thursday, April 14, 2022 – on her mother’s birthday – Gathoni was in a medical facility and recovering well from a small illness. At around 4 am, she collapsed and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was administered to her by the medical practitioners on site. While being rushed to another hospital, she rested," part of the eulogy read.
NTV presenter, Dan Mwangi also recalled his last meeting with Gathoni. In his tribute, he recited a poem titled 'You Will Not, For I am. He read out the poem after Wahiga reached out to him following his sister's demise.
Gathoni had two Master's degrees from the universities in the United Kingdom. She was a holder of a Master of Science Degree from the Nottingham Trent University and a Master's in Education Degree from the University of Derby.
She also pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication Degree at Daystar University. Her short working stint included working as a senior sales advisor in Nottingham.
Gathoni, in her lifetime, also bagged several awards including Dispute and Conflict Resolution International Certificate.
