NAIROBI, Kenya Jan 2 – Leaders are united in mourning Sir Charles Njonjo, the Duke of Kabeteshire who died on Sunday morning aged 101.
Njonjo passed away peacefully at 5am on Sunday, according to his family which cremated him three hours later at the Kariokor Crematorium in Nairobi in accordance to his will.
Carey Ngini, a son in law to Njonjo said, “Charles Njonjo was very clear in his instructions that he be cremated immediately after his death; he didn’t want funeral-related fanfare. He wanted to be cremated almost immediately after death. So we have fulfilled his wish.”
President Uhuru Kenyatta who led Kenyans in mourning Njonjo, the last member of the independence Cabinet described him as a “selfless leader” who gave his all in serving the nation.
“The passing away of Hon. Njonjo is a big blow not only to his immediate family, friends and relatives but to all Kenyans and indeed, the entire African continent because of his leading role in the founding of the Kenyan nation at independence,” President Kenyatta said in a dispatch from State House.
Njonjo, who hails from Kabete in the outskirts of the capital Nairobi, was known for his English mannerisms and eloquence entrenched in Britain where he undertook studies and lived for some time before coming back to Kenya and subsequently taking up the AG’s job.
Kenya’s first Attorney General Charles Njonjo died on January 2, 2022 aged 101.
In this photo of January 2020 he was in Uganda to track Gorillas when he turned 100. /COURTESY.
Njonjo, who hails from Kabete in the outskirts of the capital Nairobi, was known for his English mannerisms and eloquence entrenched in Britain where he undertook studies and lived for some time before coming back to Kenya and subsequently taking up the AG’s job.
As a nation, the president said “we owe a debt of gratitude to Hon. Njonjo and his generation of independence era leaders for their selfless contribution to the laying of the solid foundation upon which our country continues to thrive.”
Deputy President William Ruto said “Njonko devoted his life in serving our country in pre-and post-independent Kenya as a civil servant, Attorney-General, Kikuyu MP and Constitutional Affairs Minister. He was knowledgeable, blunt and a dedicated advocate for the causes he believed in.”
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, a close friend of Njonjo said he has lost a towering giant.
“Mama Ida and I have received with shock and heavy hearts news of the passing of my long-time friend Charles Njonjo. As a nation, we have lost a towering giant who served in key roles during his life,” Odinga tweeted.
Mama Ida and I have received with shock and heavy hearts news of the passing of my long-time friend Charles Njonjo.
As a nation, we have lost a towering giant who served in key roles during his life.
Our legal fraternity greatly benefitted from his input and hard work. pic.twitter.com/kE1bIBrtGi
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) January 2, 2022
Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi also sent his condolence to Njonjo’s family, remembering him as an instrumental leader in the constitutional and legal regime of the country.
“I am saddened to learn of the passing on of Charles Mugane Njonjo, one of the country’s early lawyers. Hon. Njonjo played an instrumental role in the constitutional and legal regime of independent Kenya, serving as the country’s first post-independence Attorney General,” stated Mudavadi.
Minority Leader in the Senate, James Orengo described Njonjo as a ‘giant and a man of principles and strong beliefs.”
“A giant has fallen. There will never be another like him. Principled and strong in his beliefs and convictions. My heartfelt condolences to the Njonjo family in particular the widow who taught me French at Alliance High School. May the soul of Hon. Charles Njonjo rest in peace,” Orengo said on Twitter.
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