Ommodo commy nulputpat ipsusci bla corem 2

Ugait vullum dion veraese tin ute 3

Isim ipsumsan ut volorer iliquis nullan utpatueros 4

Vercinc ipisi. Per at. Ut nulpute ming 5

Met, qui bla facipsu sciduisl dolor sent lutem 6

Cinim vel etue consendio conullaore 7

Idui blaore dolore ming eugiam vel 8

Tat lor alis nos et velit incillamet, quamcorem 9

Liquism odolums andiam, coreet wisissi 10

PatOboreUte

Order of ServiceINTRODUCTORY RITES

Entrance HymnAmazing Grace

Priest: The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with

you.All: And with your spirit.

LITURGY OF THE WORDFirst Reading

Book of Wisdom such as 3:1-9

The Lord’s my ShepherdLector: The word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Second ReadingSt. Paul’s letter to the Romans 6:3-9 or

Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43]Lector: The word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Before the Gospel proclamation:

Priest: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

Priest: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Gospel Reading

Matthew 5:1-12All: Glory to you, O Lord.

After the Gospel proclamation:

Priest: The Gospel of the Lord. All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Gifts to be presented by Charles & Carol Jimmy & Jenny

Nyokabi & DavidLisa & Mona

Lexy & CherylJaden & Curtis

Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts:

Priest: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we

have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands. It

will become for us the bread of life. All: Blessed be God forever.

Priest: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we

have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will

become our spiritual drink.

All: Blessed be God forever.

Lord’s Prayer:Priest: Let us pray with confidence to the Father in the words our Savior gave us.

All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come,

they will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Funeral MassTUESDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2014

REqUiEM MASSConsolata Parish, Westlands - 2pm

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into

temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Priest: Deliver us, Lord, from every evil and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all turmoil as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our

Savior, Jesus Christ.All: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory

are your -- now and forever.

Sign of Peace:

Priest: The Peace of the Lord be with you always.

All: And with your spirit.

Priest: Let us offer each other a sign of peace.Fraction of the Bread:

All: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have

mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.

Communion:

Priest: Behold the Lamb of God, behold

him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the

Lamb.All: Lord, I am not worthy that you should

enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Communion Hymn

TRIBUTES

CONCLUDING RITESAll: Receive J.J. KAMOTHO’S soul and

present J.J. to God the most high.Priest: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

Priest: May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.Concluding Hymn

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into

temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Funeral Service ProgrammeWEDNESDAY, 17 DECEMBER 2014

FUNERAL SERViCENjumbi Secondary School, Mathioya Constituency, Muranga -10am

REQUIEM MASS & FUNERAL SERVICE PROGRAMME

PatOboreUte

HOW GREAT THOU ART

Oh Lord, my God,When I in awesome wonder,

Consider all the worldsThy hand has made,

I see the stars,I hear the rolling thunder

Thy power throughoutthe universe displayed.

Then sings my soul,My Saviour God to thee:

How great thou art,How great though art.Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God to thee:How great thou art,

How great though art.

And when I thinkThat God, his Son not sparing,

Sent him to die, Iscarce can take it in.

That on the cross,my burden gladly bearing,

he bled and diedto take my sin away.

When Christ shall comeWith shout of acclamation

and take me home,What joy shall fill my heart: • .

When I shall bow in humble adoration,

And there proclaimMy God, how great thou art

Great is your faithfulness

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my father,

There is no shadow of turning with thee:

Hymns/SongsThou changest hot,

thy compassions, they fail not,As thou hast been, thou for ever

wilt be.

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth;

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for to-day and bright hope for tomorrow:

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is thy faithfulness, O God

my father,Morning by morning new mercies

I see;All I have needed thy hand hath

provided,Great is thy faithfulness, Lord

unto me.

UTUGI WA MAGEGANIA

Utugi wa mageganiaNiwa honokirie

Riria ndari mutumumuNgihinguka maitho

Ni utugi wa nyonirieGwitigira Ngai

Ukinina guoya ngoroRiria ndetikirie

Mogwati ni maingi muno0 namo magerio

No utugi ucio wikiNiukanginyia gwaku

Mwathani nianjiriireIrathimo nyingi

Ndiihokaga kiugo giakeMuoyo wakwa wothe

Na utugi watukinyiaNitugakenaga

Tukigoocaga gaturumeMiaka ngiri ngiri

CHAKUTUMAINI SINA

Chakutumaini Sinalla damu yake bwana

Sina wema wa kutoshaDhambi zangu kuziosha

Kwake Yesu nasimamaNdiye mwamba ni salama

Ndiye mwamba ni salamaz x2

Njia yangu iwe ndefuYeye hunipa wokofuMawinbi yakinipiga

Nguvu zake ndizo nanga

Damu yake na sadakaNategemea daimaYote chini yakiishaMwokozi atanitosha

Nikiitwa hukumuniRohoni nina amaniNikivikwa haki yake

Sina hofu mbele zake

Hymns/SongsGreat is Your Mercy towards Me

Great is your Mercy,Great is your Mercy, Towards

me,Your loving kindness, towards

me,Your tender mercies, I see,

day after dayForever faithful towards me,

And you are always providing for me.

Great is your mercy towards me.

Great is your grace.

Repeat the song

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Hymn

Swing low, sweet chariot,Coming for to carry me home,

Swing low, sweet chariot,Coming for to carry me home.

If you get there before I do,Coming for to carry me home,Tell all my friends I’m coming,

too.Coming for to carry me home.

Chorus

I’m sometimes up and some-times down,

Coming for to carry me home,But still my soul feels heavenly

bound,Coming for to carry me home.

Chorus

The brightest day that I can say,Coming for to carry me home,

When Jesus washed my sins away,Coming for to carry me home.

Chorus

I looked over Jordan, and what did I see?

Coming for to carry me home,A band of angels coming after me,

Corning for to carry me home.

Ngai Wakwa Ningegaga Muno Ma (Ni wega) Ni wega Ngai mundongo-

riaNake Jesu ni mugateRoho wake unyotokie

(Ndikahuta kana nyote) x2

Kuria gutangigereka,Ngathi njega.Jesu kristu.Ndikahotwo niutenderu

(kana irima rugendoini)x2

Ngo yakwa o hamwe na itimuNi mandiko ma Mwathani.

Tuthiaga oro hamwe.(Nicio ciakwa rugendoini) x 2

Riria nguigua tainginogaHinya muingi niheagwoNgomiriria ngarathimwo

(Ngakinyukia rugendoni) x 2

Nyamu njuru na mirimuitingihota guthukia.

Cionaga ngiakana mwaki(Nikuhumbwo riri wa Ngai) x2

NGINYUKAGIA O KAHORA

Nginyukagia o kahoraNjerekeire o matuiniNo ninjuui ningakinya

(Ngahuruke na Mwathani) x 2

1. Ngai wakwa ningegaga muno ma

Ngicurania uria we utariiNgwa njata.mweri na indo ci-

otheCiagiire ni undu wa uhoti waku

Ngoro yakwa riu ningukuiniraNi undu wa uria wi muneneNgoro yakwa riu ningukuiniraNi undu wa uria wi munene

2. O kuria guothe thiaga guku thi

Njiguaga nyoni igikugoocaIrima niikenagia maitho munoNa karuhuho no kangenagia

3. Ningi ndaririkana Ngai Baba

Kiheo giaku kia mageganiaJesu Kristu akuire atuhonokie

Ithuothe tukagairuo muoyo

4. Mukuuri Jesu riria aga-coka

Anyinukie mucii wa IguruNgatura ngumagia riitwa hakeNa ngenagio ni wendani wake

Ee Mwoyo

HYMNS

The story of the late Hon. Joseph John Kamotho is an epic triumph of family values, talent, personal courage, nationalism and patriotism, philanthropy and transformative leadership. It is a story of an exquisite mentor who has helped produce the fourth generation of Kenya’s public leaders now steering the Second Republic.

Early LifeJohn Joseph Kamotho was born on December 5, 1942 in Kamwara Village, Location 19, Kangema, Murang’a County where he spent his early life. However, like his namesake, the biblical Joseph who reached his greatness in Egypt, Kamotho would make his enduring mark and contribution at the national stage beyond his Murang’a cradle. Significantly, he spent his teenage-hood during the dark Emer-gency days, which were particularly difficult in this region. This was manageable for a character with such an undying spirit.

A Family Man Kamotho is the second born in the family of the late Mzee Michael Githii Kamotho and the late Mama Cecilia Nyokabi. His fam-ily story inspired and prepared Kamotho for leadership in Kenya’s multi-ethnic society. Nyokabi’s father, Waweru or Mairurii, was from the Maasai community, hence her name (one from the Maasai). This unique family life prepared young Kamotho to be a nation-alist with a pan-Kenyan outlook who never cared about his ethnic affiliation. Kamotho also enjoyed the love of his parents and, in turn, loved and cared for them till they passed on at an advanced age well into the new mil-lennium.

Kamotho loved his sisters and brothers: Agnes Wairimu Gachigi, Angela Wanjiru

Kariuki, Peter Simon Waweru, the late Theresia Wanja Gakungu, Benedict Wangari, the late Monica Warwathia, Esther Muthoni and Lucy Mumbi.

From the early years, Githii and Nyokabi intro-duced young Kamotho to a value-based Chris-tian life. He was baptized into the Catholic faith in 1947. He acquired the two names of ‘Joseph John’ or “JJ” as he later become fondly and popularly known nationally. After his Baptism, he continued to practise his Faith by attending Mass regularly especially at Consolata Shrine Westlands. He also received the Anointing of the Sick during his illness.

J.J.’s family grew even larger when he met and married the love of his life, Eunice Wambui, in May 1969 at the Holy Family Basilica, Nairobi. The Kamothos were blessed with four Chil-dren: Dr. Charles Githii Kamotho born in 1969, James Mwai Kamotho (Jimmy) born in 1971 just after the couple returned from Birmingham with young Charles, Nyokabi Kamotho born in 1974 just after J.J.’ss first election and David Waweru Kamotho born in 1980. He also be-came a loving father in-law to Caroline Wanjiru Githii and Jennifer Waruinu Mwai; and a playful, fun and doting grandfather to Cheryl, Curtis and Christie Githii; Lisa, Mona and Jaden Mwai; and Alexandrea Kamotho (Lexy).To J.J., the family was everything. He was a hands-on father who maintained daily contact with his family. His children recall that “daddy dropped us to school every day. This was our moment for consultation. We learned a lot from him. Whenever he travelled abroad, he took the first flight home so as to be with us.”

J.J. also won the great admiration of Wambui’s parents, Nahashon Ndunyu Njuno and the late Naomi Kamori. His in-laws took in J.J. in as one of their own in the Njuno family where he

TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. JOSEPH JOHN KAMOTHODECEMBER 5, 1942 - DECEMBER 6, 2014

became a brother and friend to Wambui’s sib-lings: the late Hon. Nahashon Njuno, Ephan-tus Nyaga, Lucas Ndwiga, Titus Ngotho, the late Betty Nguru, Phinehas Njeru, Jossy Munyi and the late Peter Mburia.

A Talented ScholarEducation had a lasting effect on J.J.’s life, and actually become an integral part of his identity. His educational journey began in 1948, when his parents took him to Muthangari Primary School. He sat and passed his Common Entrance Examinations in 1952, enabling him to join Njumbi Intermediate School (now Njumbi Secondary School) in 1955. His classmates in remember him as a highly gifted, outspoken and talented student who earned the admiration and fa-vours from his teachers. In 1958, J.J. sat and passed the Kenya African Preliminary Examination (KAPE). In 1959, he was admitted to Nyeri High School where he sat for the Cambridge Secondary Educa-tion Examination in 1962. J.J.’s thirst for education was unquenched. In 1964, he ap-plied for a Russian scholarship and joined the Moscow State University to study Economics. However, life behind the ‘Iron Curtain’ in Communist Russia became un-bearable for a liberal minded young man. A year later, J.J. left Moscow citing “gross social inequalities, ravages of hostile weather, horrible living conditions and political biases by the Russians.” This was a diplomatic reference to the racism and ill-treatment of foreigners in Communist Russia earlier on experienced by eminent Black students who went to Moscow like George Padmore and Kenya’s founding father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

Within a year of his return, J.J. applied for and obtained a scholarship from the United States Institute for International Education (IIE) to Syracuse University in New York to

study Political Science and Economics. While here he served as the Secretary General of the African Students Union. In recognition of his service, J.J. was awarded an Honorary citizen-ship by the Mayor. In 1969, J.J. joined Birming-ham University in the United Kingdom, where he completed a Masters degree in Development Administration and Social Sciences. Like many African students of his time, J.J. never stayed on in the West, and returned home to help build the young nation that needed his skills.

Civil ServantJ.J. spent a short stint in working life after his secondary school education. Briefly, between 1962 and 1963, he worked as a trainee officer for the East African Customs and Excise in Mombasa and also for the Standard Bank. After returning from Birmingham in 1969, J.J. joined the Kenya Institute of Administration (KIA), now Kenya School of Governance, in Kabete where he worked till 1971. Here, he taught students of local authorities who became pioneering senior staff of civic authorities in the early Kenya.

In 1972, J.J. joined the now defunct East African Airways as the Officer in-charge of Manpower Planning. As his legacy, he became instrumental in the training of the pioneering bunch of indigenous Kenyan pilots. Many of these pilots served in the newly formed national carrier, Kenya Airways and a number have seen the expansion of the aviation industry in Kenya and the region as aviation instructors and consultants.

Again, J.J. would leave his mark as a hard working and innovative public manager when he was appointed Director of Training at the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) be-tween 1972-74. In this prestigious position in the country’s premier institute on management and capacity-building established in 1954, J.J. pioneered the establishment of managerial and empowerment courses for the emerging private

EULOGY

sector line managers and administrative staff. But politics came calling.

Elective Politics During the 1974 General Elections, J.J. joined the race for the Kangema constituency seat. Ed-ucation was his selling point. The plane was his campaign symbol, which captured the power of education as an instrument of socio-economic transformation and development. It is said that during the campaign he traversed the hills of Kangema wearing a graduation gown and cap to inspire kids. In October 1974, at a tender age of 32 years, J.J. was elected Kangema MP, becoming part of the second generation of Independent Kenya’s politicians. When the party spoke, the Government had spoken.

As a backbencher, J.J. quickly made his mark in parliamentary politics. He formed the core of a vocal group of back-benchers who kept the government on its toes. J.J. served in the first ever Parliamentary Anti-corruption Committee. In 1976, J.J. was part of the 98 parliamentar-ians from across the country who campaigned for the rejection of the Change the Constitution Movement to block then Vice President Daniel arap Moi from succeeding Jomo Kenyatta as President. As an MP, J.J. took up his work with unparalleled zeal and commitment.

J.J. was re-elected as Kangema MP in 1979. And in 2013, when he retired after he unsuc-cessfully vied for the Murang’a County Senate seat, he had been in politics for nearly forty years and left an enduring legacy of develop-ment in almost all sectors of society.

Cabinet and National LeadershipJ.J. started his life as cabinet minister in differ-ent portfolios and national leadership in 1979. So large did J.J.’s political stature become that in the 1980s and 1990s he was literally the foremost national leader from Central Kenya.

He was the politicians’ politician. President Daniel arap Moi, now retired, appointed him to his first post-Kenyatta cabinet as Minister for Higher Education. Kamotho held the docket till 1983. After his re-election in 1988, J.J. briefly served as Assistant Minis-ter in the Office of the President and then to Transport & Communication Minister between 1988-91 before being re-appointed to the education docket in 1991.

As Higher Education Minister, J.J. presided over radical changes in the history of Kenyan education, including overseeing the implementation of the 8-4-4 system. He inaugurated the Collins Mackay Commission that recommended the establishment of the second national university, Moi University in Eldoret. In 1995, he oversaw the establishment of the Hight Education Loan Board (HELB). In the next decade, J.J. would oversee the expansion of the higher education sector, including the establishment of more public and private universities, youth polytechnics, technical colleges and teacher training colleges. Among these was the Murang’a Teachers College.

J.J. also masterminded the introduction of the now defunct National Youth Service Pre-University Scheme with the aim of instilling discipline, virtues of patriotism, self-reliance and discipline in students about to join public universities. He also had a successful tenure as Minister for Trade in 1998-99, and Minis-ter for Local Government in 2000-2001, and Minister of Environment & Natural Resourc-es (2001-2002).

KANU Secretary-GeneralIn 1989, J.J. was elected the National Secretary-General of the ruling party, the Kenya African National Union (KANU). J.J. would remain the party Secretary General

for 14 years, only coming second to Robert Matano who served the party for 16 years (1969-1985). But after the indomitable Tom Mboya in the 1960s, J.J. was the most visible and energetic political administra-tor in independent Kenya. He became the model Secretary General every political party would have liked to have. His role as a loyal and articulate spokesman of his party and government was unquestionable.

In this capacity, J.J. steered the party through an extremely volatile and difficult moment in Kenya’s political history. This included the pressure for political pluralism, which led to the introduction of a multi- party system in 1992. Even under the circumstances, J.J. defended his party with great courage, charisma and wit.

As KANU Secretary-General, J.J. showed himself as a patient and diligent mentor of future generation of leaders. Kenya’s young leaders who worked with J.J. speak fondly of him as a patient and wonderful mentor who helped produce the fourth generation of Kenyan grassroots and national leadership that has just seized the reins of power. From the newly formed County Assemblies to the East African Community, the footprints of his training are clear visible.

However, J.J. left KANU in 2002. He won the Mathioya seat on the ticket of the Na-tional Rainbow Coalition (NARC), which defeated KANU. But a parliamentary seat, cabinet and party positions were simply instruments of J.J.’s development vision, his most enduring legacy.

A Legacy of DevelopmentJ.J. saw his primary role in politics as that of facilitating socio-economic transformation and empowerment of the people. He re-jected the lures of the narrow and localized ethnic and regional politics. His stage of

politics and development was the Kenyan nation. He was one of the few men and women who had travelled to almost every corner of the country, which enabled him to accurately detect changing political temperatures across the nation.

J.J. was involved in development projects across the country, from health centers, to schools, churches to water and rural electrification projects. Except the Presidents, J.J. Kamotho is the only other leader who has plaques in 185 out of 210 constituencies memorializing development projects. The empowerment of women was at the heart of his vision of the Kenyan nation. In his native Murang’a County, he elevated all girl schools to Provincial level to empower the girl child.

J.J. had almost elevated politics into philanthropy long before his family established the Upendo Children’s Rehabilitation Centre to help disadvantaged children and orphans. He was perhaps the greatest fund-raiser of his times. In the 1990s, he raised a record shattering 77 million Kenya shillings in one sitting!

But J.J. epitomized a leadership of integrity and honor. He was selfless, trustworthy, honest and non-materialistic almost to a fault. He had no known scandal around him, and remained a silent philanthropist. J.J. believed in talent and ability as the basis of development. “Kuri cuma ithegethaga iria Ingi” (there are metals that drill others), he would say. He gave confidence and encourage-ment to the enterprising Rwathia business frater-nity from his home area.

A Man of many TalentsJ.J. valued a well-thought out and strategic ap-proach to life, whether in politics or development. He was aided by his great mind and memory. He never carried a notebook with him, but never missed any telephone number or missed his appointment.

In his Mioro area, he was revered as a grandmaster of the locally popular game of ‘Ndia ruru’(draft) that demands a great deal of strategic thinking, and which he played in his local shop-ping center. J.J. was also a soccer enthusiast, and sponsored football clubs across the country. De-spite his stature, he was a very accessible leader who never lost his simplicity to the trappings of power. “Habari ya Dunia” was his signature salu-tation he used to recognize and greet people of all stations in life.

J.J. was kind to all. When he travelled abroad with his long-serving personal body guard, Michael Korir, he shopped for him and his family remem-bering each of Korir’s children by name and age.He remained a great believer in authority and a stickler of rules, law and order. At 6 pm sharp, he would routinely ask his driver to stop and remove the flag in his official car. J.J. liked driving him-self, but would never drive himself in the official car because “it is not permitted for a civilian to drive an official car.” This is his lesson to our country today. Because of his dedication and tre-mendous contribution to Kenya, J.J. was awarded the second highest national honour, Elder of the Golden Heart (EGH).

Sickness & DeathJ.J retired from politics after a very gruelling and involving campaign in 2013. On Easter Sunday, March 31st 2013, he enjoyed a traditional Easter lunch with the family. He had presented lethargic symptoms raising concern. Charlie, contacted the primary physician and booked a medical check-up. J.J. reluctantly agreed and David drove him to the Nairobi Hospital. After assessment, and miraculously, as Dr. Charles Kariuki arrived, J.J experienced shortness of breath and rapidly the acute impact of aggressive pneumonia. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Dr, Macha-ria, the ENT specialist was shocked by the level of acuteness of the pneumonia. He found it incredi-ble that a 70-year old had walked into the hospital ailing with that intensity of pneumonic infection.

J.J. showed his courage, faith and resilience through his illness. He defied the odds re-covering at home after over 10-weeks in the I.C.U. Mid this year, J.J developed septic osteoarthritis of the hip. He underwent two operations in Nairobi but the sepsis pro-gressed through the body. In October this year, he was admitted at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg and underwent extensive sur-gery. The surgery was a success and he had been recovering well when he developed cardiac complications and pulmonary infec-tion. Friday 5th December, was J.J.’s 72nd birthday. The following morning on Sat-urday 6th December, he a suffered cardiac arrest at 4am and he peacefully accepted God’s will and rested.

Mum’s TributeTo my beloved husband,

Hon J.J. Kamotho

Honey, i would be at a loss if we laid your body to rest before expressing my gratitude to you

for your great love for me or acknowledging and appreciating your respect for me.

For 45 years, 7 months and 3 days of our marriage you gave me dignity, you trusted me and this made me courageous and con-

fident in all my endeavours.

You have had extraordinary love for our children and then, our grandchildren. Your love for your relatives, your friends and the

nation was special.

You gave us quality time despite being a busy important politician with great respon-

sibilities. We will miss family-afternoons after church, lunches, dinners, parties, and the many adventurous holidays near and

far.

You gave us the best of you. You did every-thing and gave anything to make us happy.

You were simply the best, most loving hus-band on earth.

i thank God for giving me a special hus-band. This is my last letter to you until we meet in heaven but the sweet memories of your love are an investment that will not be exhausted for generations until Christ

returns.

As you Rest in Peace, please don’t forget to pray for us as well as your loving friends

who have held us through this.

Your loving wife,

Eunice

TRIBUTES FROM JJ’S FAMILY & PHOTOS

CharlieTributeDad, you fought the good fight, you finished the

race.

You were no quitter, you fought to the end, always with the hope that you would win. And you did win; because you overcame the pain and, judging by the you did, we now trust you

are in heaven.

Thank you for everything you taught us. Thank you for everything you bequethed unto us.

May we learn from your virtues of humility, truthfulness, amiability, labouriousness, and

love for family.

As you would say, “let’s talk later . . .”

From your first born,

Charlie

Jimmy’s TributeDad, fair thee well! Love, charity, humility, patience, fortitude are just a few of the

virtues that come to mind when I think of you. When in good health, not a day went by when you didn’t call at least once to find out how the family and I were doing.

The first question after the usual pleasantries was, “Habari ya dunia? How are Jeniffer and the children”.

The Sunday family lunches after mass became a ritual where you would catch up with each one of us and the grandkids on the events of the week.

You always put other people’s needs ahead of your own.

Dad, you gave us freedom to be, BUT, within the realm of who we ought to be!

May the good Lord grant us the strength to emulate your legacy and virtues through the generations that follow.

Big love Dad!

Jimmy

Nyokabi’sTributeToday is my father’s funeral. Thousands of people will show up to mourn my father’s passing and to celebrate his life. It will be an incredibly dif-ficult, sad and yet powerful day.

I am not sure how I’m supposed to outdo any other speech about this great man… but I’m going to try anyway.

Thank you all for being here today. To see so many people who loved Daddy and want to be here to say goodbye to him is just befitting.

In a moment of true, wonderful irony though, it would be for Dad’s funeral to take place during a Manchester United game. I’d like to think that Daddy would be somehow flipping the afterlife remote control between being here with all of us and the Man-U game. And of course, he would be doing so for two reasons… first, let’s be clear, he’d want to know the score of the game, but second, Daddy would be profoundly uncomfortable with all of us saying really wonderful things about him. So, as we say goodbye to my father and say all the things we love so much about him, I just want you to imagine that always-unexpected laugh of his – and picture him changing the channel to the soccer game, because his humility would never have permitted him to sit through this.

And that’s as good a place to start as any – because my father was a great man who did not accept his own greatness. Even as he was fighting against illness with more strength and courage and honesty than I can imagine, he complained about receiving too much attention. My father… who was expending such energy and will and strength to fight for more time… still talked about the things he didn’t do. He never quite accepted his own greatness, all he had done, all the lives he profoundly changed. I wish he could have been here today if only to see the incredible good he did for others and their appreciation of him.

That’s not to say he wasn’t proud – he was. He wasn’t vain at all. He was the most down-to-earth person you would ever know. But he was proud in all the right ways. One undeniable way was in celebrating his family: surprise birthdays for mum and I was always his co-conspirator, fabulous celebrations of their marriage, our birthdays - he was always the first phone call and we never noticed the difference between an evening of cutting cake at home with just family or having 200 friends over and every indulgence we would want to have on our big day. All four of us, felt spe-cial everyday of our lives, reminded every year of how important we were to Daddy on our birthdays. When leaving for university, and when gradu-ating, he would call his friends and celebrate with such pride – justifiable, earned pride – that he could show the accomplishments of his children.

When I think back to my earliest memories of my Father, I remember this deep bellowing, husky voice, with arms wide open. I could always count on my dad for hugs, especially when I fell down and skinned a knee, or was feeling sad.

Every daughter remembers her father in terms of protector and provider. I have to laugh now as I think of the most interesting person my dad became as I grew into a young lady. Once, a suitor came calling. To be honest, a boyfriend from the UK followed me home. I was 24 yrs old, just

after my Masters degree and I felt and thought that I was as old and as mature as an adult could ever be. That is when the warm fuzzy bear turned into what I can now look back and laughingly proclaim as a scary harsh grizzly bear. There was no preparation that was enough to prepare the young fellow (as Daddy referred to him preferring that he remain nameless) This was definitely not the sweet Daddy-buddy he had heard me talk to on the phone so often. In the end, let’s just say, Daddy as always, was right in his advice and I resigned myself to what I had seen as having arrived, to what Daddy referred to as my life just beginning.

Fortunately, my dad and I maintained a solid relationship, and I’ll never forget when anxiety and panic filled the big old bear’s eyes when I was expecting my daughter and was due to deliver. Really, he was a true softy.

Daddy and Mum were married for 45 years. What made their marriage so strong was Daddy’s commitment to always loving Mum the way he did the day he first fell in love with her. Getting her gifts whenever he travelled, loving and enjoying her surprise when we succeeded. My dad would have to hold back a chuckle or two, because I could tell my mom was always surprised to the point of angry shock. I remember her 44th birthday and Daddy and I conspired for weeks. We roped in my brothers one by one and kept Digo in the dark until the last few days because he was only 10 years old and still a mummy’s baby…no offence, Digo. Daddy bought Mum a brand new car from the show-room with the registration KAM 144K and the cake was in the shape of a car with the words “HAPPY 44TH MAY YOU LIVE TO BE 144 YEARS!” I could tell even then that his true happiness and feeling of success was to see Mum’s surprise and joy and appreciation. For that, I know my brothers will always be fantastic husbands while I remain lost seeking anything close to what I have appreciated is a perfect husband. I say that happily because I found strength in Daddy showing me that true happiness is in never compromising on your standards, or lowering your expectations.

There is one side of him that very few people experienced. Our friends from our youth, our close cousins, aunts and uncles and of course Daddy’s dear friends from his youth, had the privilege of knowing the funny side of Daddy, the intelligent wit that could catch you off-guard and leave you in stitches, his disarming humour, mischievous and teasing outlook on life was such a breath of fresh air and for us, with the J.J. that the world knew, the game-face or sura-ya-kazi that the rest of Kenya sees; we, the few, who knew the laughing, gentle J.J., feel honoured to belong to this secret society, so to speak, remarkably, once you know this side of Daddy, you tend to find the analysis of the unprivileged of Daddy as a harsh, strict person, as an incredulously wrong dissection of the multi-faceted personality. I definitely inherited his mischievous side and love for humour and I recall one of my for-mer bosses, now a judge, Justice Fred Otieno, remarking: “Nyokabi, I’m sure you must have been constantly spanked and disciplined by your Dad when you were a kid!” My brothers and I had the completely opposite up-bringing from what others imagine. Daddy had such a young heart, and I know Mum usually noticed that he was sneaking a look of sympathy or comfort when we were led away to be reprimand-ed for a transgression.

My father was, simply put, my hero. He spent his whole life in service of our Nation. He could have used his considerable, powerful intellect robust, and powerful positions in government chasing down wealth and power, and no one dare doubt that he could have acquired both, but instead he chose to serve. My dad is one of the smartest people I’ve ever known, and he chose a life of service. And more than that, he had a fundamental and powerful re-spect for the people he served. One of the many lessons I learned from him was that you should never use your own intellect to make others feel less smart than you, but as smart or smarter than you, and if you respected the ideas and perspectives of others, you could and would learn from anyone and everyone. Daddy believed that whatever gifts one was given, they had to be spent lifting others up, not putting them down.

Daddy believed also that kindness could be created in the work you did in the world. The idea that the purpose of life was that you should try to leave the world a little bit better off because you happened to live in it, and the other was that every person had a right to dignity and a fair shake at life.

That resolve, that belief in standing up for what is right was not just in his public life but in his private life as well. That’s who he was, that is what he passed on to me and to my brothers. There was no delineation between the morality of my father’s public life and morality of his private life. He was who he was in all aspects of his life, deeply committed to justice, deeply committed to fairness, deeply committed to kindness.

And he was so much more than political. He also loved the life of the mind, and there was nothing more fun than a great passionate debate. I remem-ber the debates I’ve had with Daddy. And after losing miserably most of the time, yes, the lawyer always lost to the politician in this family, I realized even then what an incredible compliment that was. That love of the give and take of a debate — that willingness to learn from others while you were debating, even if it meant you didn’t “win”, I learned that from him. It was from Daddy that I learned how you can argue to learn, not just argue to win.

And as my life and my career has become what it has become, he was my best advisor and strategist. In one of the great joys of my life, over the past decade, I was able to be a strategist and sounding board for him as well. I spent every single day for 4-months of his last campaign by his side.

And he has been the most amazing grandfather to my Lexy and my nieces and nephews. He is one of the truly greatest men I have ever known – and most definitely, ever will. It’s funny, I will say, “I am the daughter of an excellent, formidable politician and leader. I am the most derivative human being ever, none of my ideas my own.” Dad tried to argue that point with me–perhaps not surprisingly–but it really is true. My best ideas are merely an outgrowth–a logical extension–of all that he has taught me.

I haven’t quite come to terms with the fact that I will never have another conversation with my father again. I am sure I share that with many of you. And as much as anything else, I am angry that we were robbed of more time with. He and I talked about the things he knew he wasn’t going to have time for. There were still windmills to tilt at. There were still battles to fight. And in an era where it is so important to make sure that all people have a right to a say in their own lives – a right to self-determination and self-worth, we have lost one of our great champions in that fight.

The world is a better place because J.J. KAMOTHO lived in it for seventy-two years. It is because of the way he lived both his private and public lives. Now it is our turn. We have to ask ourselves – “What would J.J do?” And one guarantee is that there would be action. We should all work just a little harder to make the world a better place because we happened to have lived in it. To do that is to honor his life and honor his memory. And it has the added benefit of being the right thing to do, too. I love you, Daddy, and I’ll miss you more than I can say.

Dad lived a good life. He respected and cherished us all, and held on to old-fashioned values which helped make me the person I am today. I will always be thankful for the influence he had on my life while growing up, and the lasting memories he shared with our children. Thanks Papi, for being such a loving husband to mom, father, and grandparent. Thank you, Daddy, for being the most incredible father I could have ever wanted. Thank you for making me want to make the world a better place and for showing me a path to do so. Thank you for making sure that I have known I was loved every day of my life.

Lexi’sTributeHello my name is Alexandrea Wambui Kamotho and I would like to make a tribute on what people thought of and I thought of my grandfather. His doctors would call him a strong zulu warrior and I would agree with that. I loved him more than I can explain and one of the things I loved him most for was his strength and power to get us where we are. When I would see his smile it would brighten up my day and when I would see his frown tears would fill my eyes.

Every time he would call my name I would feel like the world would stop for a second or two. When he was in the hospital the nurses could see the potential in his eyes. He would ask me to get him tea and ucoro. Some-times there were some up and downs during his sickness but he would always get through them and I would love that. I loved my guka and his love and company. Before he fell ill, he would always call me and he likedto have tea with me and my mum in the evening. I am glad that I was in South Africa with him all that time to encourage him and to give him my company. I am very sad he is not here with us anymore but I will live my life to make him proud of me while he smiles at me from heaven.

David’sTributeMy Dad, My HERO

My dad’s battle is now over, no more pain and discomfort on his assuring and loving face, there is no more suffering and we will no onger watch the sickness weaken his strong resilient body. I still do not understand why this had to happen to him but I am proud to say he is my dad. The greatest man that I will ever knew and will ever know. Although he will not be there when my fututre bride walks down the aisle, when that day comes I know he will be by my side with a smile. Daddy was always there for me and nothing by him has EVER made me cry, until that day he closed his eyes and had to say goodbye. Now he is my angel, and he has spread his wings out wide, he has wrapped them around us, my brothers, my sister and mum. He will always be the love of mums life, her best friend and pro-tector and will always smile at her the way that he told me he did when he first met her. Dad will remain my sisters warrior, guardian, confidant and buddy and he will continue to wipe away her tears whenever he sees her cry. For my brothers and I, he will always be the man that we want to be, the greatest fafther, most loyal friend, upmost honourable leader, doting and playful grandfather, understanding and friendly uncle, accepting, accomodating in-law, I pray we join together to fill your shoes. They were BIG shoes when we were boys . . . they look too big now when we are men. It will take the 3 of us and the guidance of your friends to try and fill the void you have left. Our time together was memorable and God took you away too fast. But the most precious to me was you being there for my first breath, and me being there for your last.

David

(I “borrowed” this poem from the internet because it says everything that I feel unfortunately, I

forgot to note down the author)

Goodbye dad I had to sayA few months ago on a cold winter day

I’ll remember the good times and try not to be sad

But saying goodbye still hurts so bad

I miss you more than I can expressMy love for you will never grow less

I keep trying to imagine how I will go onI realize tomorrow is another dawn

I know you’re in heaven aboveLooking down on us with all your love

Only to whisper in our earRemember that I’ll never stop loving you

dear

I’ll always remember the good times we hadRemember the man, my wonderful dadI’ll remember you each and every day

And if I need to talk to you, I’ll just sit down and pray

One day we’ll be together againTo talk about all the places we’ve been

Until the time I’ll always treasure Having you for a dad was such a great

JJ with Grandchildren

TRIBUTES FROM JJ’S EXTENDED FAMILY & THE NATION

His political acumen was acknowledged by both friends and foes. But what left an indelible impression in me about J.J. is not his political/public image but his real image, as a man. The former is usually, by and large, the creation of the me-dia, the latter is a result of your intimate knowledge of a person. I have come to realize that the two images could be miles apart. I was privileged to have known J.J. closely as my brother-in-law. In fact, I knew him as a bachelor, a friend of my sister. His generosity was, and has been, beyond mea-sure. We always talked of him as a man whom if you met with in the rain and he had an umbrella while you had none, he would insist that that you take his, creating all sorts of excuses why he himself didn’t need it. That was J.J.; his plea-sure was your satisfaction. I therefore know of a man, who, even when he would not eat meat, especially roast meat due to medical reasons, he continued to “enjoy” it by having his friends enjoy the meat by holding innumerable parties in his home; that was his fulfillment.The public would know J.J. as a shrewd politician who enjoyed the floor of parliament, but few know that J.J. had another “parliament” which he enjoyed even more - his “family parlia-ment” at the dining table. This, he would hardly miss unless he was out of the country. Even then, he would call home to be briefed by his dear wife of the goings-on. There’s neither space nor time here to talk about this parliament, but it is around this dining table where family decisions were taken as they enjoyed their dinner. There was neither need of a Speaker, nor definition of the majority. Decisions were always on unanimous basis. The quorum was always full-house un-less a member of the family was away for obvious reasons. It is around this table that each would express himself/herself without fear of recrimination, and they all knew that whatever was discussed there stayed within the four walls. There was neither discrimination nor bias, on the basis of gender or age.Most of us used to wonder how J.J. could so effortlessly re-member people’s names. I came to realize that, other than being gifted with good memory, it was largely because he loved, and was interested in people. He would hardly be judgemental or critical about others, even in areas where he so much excelled above them, especially on the family front. He had no time for self-pity or complaining even when he was in extreme physical pain or political deep waters. He was always up-beat and positive, in both attitude and confession. I have much to emulate in him as a person!

P. Njeru Njuno

Other Family Tributes

“Kamotho was perhaps the most unforgettable political party administrator in independence Kenya” — Deputy President, William Samoei Ruto_________________________________“Kamotho was a personal friend for many years. In politics, he was an energetic, thoughtful and indefatigable public servant and a man who contributed immensely in making Kanu a robust system in service to the people” -- Retired President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi.____________________________________“Kamotho was a worthy opponent, one who was in no way personal” — Deputy Speaker of the Senate Mr Kembi Gitura

Tribute from the Nation

TRIBUTES FROM JJ’S EXTENDED FAMILY & THE NATION

Quotable Quotes from JJ Kamotho1. “Politics is not a soccer match between Gor Mahia Football Club and AFC Leop-ards Club. Football is straightforward. You cannot score from an offside position. In politics, you can score from anywhere and with a leg or even Diego Maradona’s hand of God!”

2. “Mark my words, this marriage will not last. Divorce proceedings will begin at the wedding!” Kamotho on KANU-NDP merger, March 2002.

3. “Which elections? That was a marketplace!” Kamotho on the 2002 KANU party elections.5. “Being the secretary general of a political party, where I am expected to pro-nounce the party’s viewpoint in the current multi-party landscape, I had to be a bit hawkish. The nature of my job demands that I always be on the offensive rather than on the defensive. I have to be in a position to counter our party’s opponents at all times.”

6. “The kikuyu community had decided not to vote for Moi. I became an object of ridicule, hatred and insults from their leaders. I was even persuaded by church lead-ers to ditch the party, promising to campaign for me for the Mathioya seat”-- during 1992 multi party elections.

7. “Politics has drawn me away from long-time friends because I spend so much time dealing with public affairs, leaving me with very little time to spend with my peers”—Interview 2013

8. “I better loose the parliamentary on a winning party than win with a party that will loose nationally, because the party (meaning KANU) will remember me”--com-ments during the 1992 and 1997 general elections.

9. “I am stating here that if we continue with these kind of retrogressive politics, there will come a time that we Murang’a people will not produce any professionals because we will have none”— in 1992 during Ford Asili wave in Murang’a

10. “Kuri cuma ithegethaga iria ingi” (There are metals that drill others)—there are always those people who are more talented than others, the agents of change.

11. “Having checked the mood in here (Kasarani), I have decided not to contest for the KANU Secretary General’s position”—during the KANU-NDP merger, 2002.

12. “I dont have a mentor, what I admire in many people is their ability to make firm decisions.”

13. “Teachers should know that the government has not given me their money which I have kept in a safe in my house, there is no money to pay them”—addressing Mathioya teachers when he was the Minister of Education as teachers threatened to go on strike.