Anne Thumbi skips Kibra MP Ken Okoth's cremation at Kariokor

Why Anne Thumbi skipped Ken Okoth's cremation after court [Video]

Charles Ouma

August 3, 2019 11:12 AM

Cremation on Saturday morning was preceded by drama with Ken's mother Angeline Ajwang also missing

Ken Okoth's family claim Anne Thumbi refused to subject son to DNA test

Kibra MP Ken Okoth’s lover Anne Thumbi was missing in action during the cremation of the deceased on Saturday morning.

Reports also indicate that the legislator's mother, Angeline Ajwang skipped the exercise with Evans Oluoch, a nephew of the deceased revealing to Citizen TV that Angeline insisted up to the last minute that his body should be buried and was not involved in the plans to cremate her son.

Thumbi who has a son with the deceased had earlier on sought a court order to be allowed to participate in the interment of the legislator but skipped the event at Kariokor crematorium.

ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna who also doubles up as the family lawyer revealed that Ms Thumbi's lawyer said they (Thumbi and her son with Okoth) opted to skip the event.

Security was tight at the venue with police with thorough screening of those accessing the venue.

Reports indicate that only close family members were allowed to witness the exercise.

"Hon. Okoth's remains have been cremated this morning in accordance with his wishes and in the presence of his family. May his soul Rest In Peace," read a tweet from ODM.

Drama and confusion preceded the cremation with the matter ending up in court.

The late Kibra MP Ken Okoth's memorial service was held at the Starehe Boys Centre Pulse Live Kenya

The court halted the cremation or burial pending the hearing and determination of case filed by a woman who claims to have a child with the Kibra MP.

The complainant, Anne Muthoni Thumbi moved to court on Thursday to request for an injunction stopping funeral plans, until she was recognized as the late lawmaker’s bonafide partner, before they held talks with Okoth's family and agreed to have the cremation on condition that the son, be part of the burial process.

Below is a video of Ken's final send-off, courtesy of Citizen TV.

The family of the deceased was also split on whether to cremate the body according to the legislator’s wishes or to bury it according to Luo customs.

While Mr Okoth’s wife, Monica, and his younger brother, were pushing for the cremation of the fallen MP’s body, his mother Anjeline Ajwang’ and his elder brother wanted the body buried at her home in Kasewe, Kabondo Kasipul.

Charles Ouma