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Ken Okoth to be cremated in Kariokor, family spokesman says

Ken Okoth who died on July 26, 2019. Photo/FILE.

NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 2 – The body of Kibra MP Ken Okoth will be cremated on Saturday at the Kariokor cemetery in line with his wishes.

“It is true he will be cremated,” said Edwin Sifuna, a Spokesperson for the family, who is also their legal representative in a case filed at the Milimani Law Courts by Ann Thumbi who claimed to be a mistress to the deceased.

Sifuna said, “we no-longer have a dispute because the matter has been settled. She was allowed to extract DNA samples from the body before interment.”

Thumbi had obtained orders blocking a cremation, burial or any manner of disposal of Okoth’s body pending the hearing and determination of her case.

Ann Thumbi, Ken Okoth and the baby the lady claims she bore with the Kibra MP who died of cancer on July 29, 2019. Photo/COURTESY.

Sifuna told journalists that the two sides had agreed to have DNA samples extracted from the body to determine if he is the father of Thumbi’s five-year-old son.

“The consent has been adopted by the magistrate and now there is no dispute,” Sifuna said, “This was agreed after long talks on Thursday night presided over by ODM leader Raila Odinga and Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko.”

In her suit papers, Thumbi said she was angered by the family’s failure to recognize her son to be listed as one of the beneficiaries of the deceased’s property.

In the order earlier issued by a Magistrate’s Court, Ken’s mother Angeline Okoth, his wife Monica Okoth had been barred from undertaking any funeral rites for the deceased until the case is heard and determined. Lee Funeral Home where his body was preserved was also named as the third respondent.

Odinga and Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka had urged the courts to allow the family settle the matter out of court.

Raila and Kalonzo Musyoka at the funeral service of Ken Okoth. Photo/SAM WANJOHI.

“I want to ask the judiciary to always look at some of these issues; try arbitration, this is improper it can be negotiated my brother Raila please sort it out,” said Kalonzo, who condemned the courts for issuing an injunction stopping the burial.

The nominated MCA is demanding recognition by the family as well as ‘their’ son whom she wants to be listed as one of the beneficiaries.

Monica Okoth, the MP’s widow, was reported to have been opposed to the idea of the boy being recognized publicly.

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Kwn Okoth’s widow Monica. Photo/SAM WANJOHI.

Okoth died on last Friday at The Nairobi Hospital after a long battle with cancer.

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