Matiang'i Bodyguard Denied Police Honours During Burial

Police Constable Hudson Wakise was attached to the VIP protection at the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government.
Police Constable Hudson Wakise was attached to the VIP protection at the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government.
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A bodyguard attached to Interior CS Fred Matiang'i, Police Constable Hudson Wakise who shot his wife and killed himself, was on Thursday, April 15, laid to rest at his rural home in Kironge village in Taita Taveta county.

But unlike the normal military and police traditions for fallen servicemen, Wakise was not accorded any of the honours.

A reporter told Kenyans.co.ke that the funeral was only attended by family members and close friends as no GSU officers had gone to his home.

An officer explained to this writer that the traditions during a funeral service of an officer, include a 21-gun salute where colleagues fire in the air at the graveside, flag draped on the casket, and the military anthem being played.

Police officers during the burial of constable Pauline Wakasa at Matsakha village, Malava, Kakamega County, on April 11, 2021.
Police officers during the burial of constable Pauline Wakasa at Matsakha village, Malava, Kakamega County, on April 11, 2021.
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In the event an officer dies by suicide, the send-off traditions are not performed at the ceremony.

"The officer is not even be buried in military attire. At times, even for the family to access the benefits may be a problem," the officer divulged.

The funeral was a sharp contrast from his wife Pauline Wakasa who was buried at her parents’ rural home in Matsakha village, Kakamega County.

The burial was attended by police officers from Nairobi, Kericho, Nakuru and across Kakamega County.

In accordance with the police tradition, her fellow servicemen and women carried her casket which was draped in the police service flag.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i also sent a message during the ceremony describing Wakasa as a courageous and disciplined officer.

"We mourn a courageous officer who will be missed not only by her family but relatives, friends and the police service," he stated.

Earlier on, Wakise's family insisted for Pauline be buried next to her husband in Taita Taveta County where he hailed from.

"They are our children and the tragedy has already happened. We wanted to bury them both here," a family member of Wakise stated.

On the other hand, Pauline's family maintained that she would be laid to rest at their rural home in Kakamega County.

The body of police constable Pauline Wakasa is laid to rest at Matsakha village, Malava in Kakamega County on April 11, 2021.
The body of police constable Pauline Wakasa is laid to rest at Matsakha village, Malava in Kakamega County on April 11, 2021.
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