Following the demise of freedom fighter Brigadier John Kiboko, his widow, Agnes Murugi, has appealed to the government to accord him a dignified state funeral equivalent to that bestowed upon other notable figures.
Speaking to a section of journalists on Friday, August 18, at their Ngorika home in Olkalou, Murugi stated that the news of her husband's passing was relayed by her son, Nelson Mutugi, who had been by his father's side throughout.
“He is a hero just like other heroes. He should be buried the same way other heroes are sent off because he has sustained so many injuries fighting for this country, and unfortunately, he has not benefited from it,” the widow stated.
Brigadier John Kibolo passed away at Nairobi Hospital on Friday, August 19, after a prolonged battle with an illness that started in 2019.
Although she couldn't recall the precise age of the late brigadier, Murugi was inclined to believe that her late husband has surpassed 90 years.
She eulogised him as a diligent, caring, hard-working man whose influence impacted her family members and friends.
"But if there is one thing we will miss about my late husband, then it is the bravery that he portrayed," the grieving widow mourned.
Murugi asked the government to intervene and help them foot hospital bills as well as plan the burial of the late freedom fighter, arguing that he had fought alongside the late veteran Mau Mau warrior Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi.
Nelson Mutugi, the son of the late Kiboko, revealed that his father's hospital bills amounted to Ksh8 million as he passed away while still receiving medical care.
Kiboko will be remembered for pleading with President William Ruto to allow him and other fighters access Kamiti Maximum Prison where Kimathi was allegedly buried and retrieve his body to accord him a decent burial alongside his wife Mukami Kimathi.
The deceased made the remarks at the burial of Mukami on May 13 this year in Nyandarua County.
"I know where Kimathi was buried in Kamiti. All we are asking you, Mr President, is that you allow us access to Kamiti prison for two months so that we can retrieve Kimathi's body for a proper burial next to his wife. This was Mrs Mukami's dying wish," the late Kiboko pleaded.
