Friends, and leaders who joined the family of the Late Manguliechi  in mourning at the  St. Emanuels' Miruri for his burial. [Photo | Westfm]

 Preparations are on track for Saturday's funeral of the late preacher Wanyonyi Manguliech, at Miruri village, Kimilili District in Bungoma County.

Mang’uliech, a  leader for the Bukusu community, died in Webuye District Hospital Thursday last week while undergoing diabetes treatment at the age of 72. 

Justice and Constitution Affairs Minister Eugene Wamalwa, Trade Minister Moses Wetangula, Forestry and livestock minister Noah Wekesa and the area Mp Dr. Eseli Simiyu were in attendance among other leaders from all parts of the country.

Nominated Mp Musikari Kombo,Lands assistant Minister Bifwoli Wakoli, former Webuye Mp Joash Wamang’oli King of Lufu former Sirisia Mp John Munyasia, former Bumula and also the chairman of Nzoia Sugar Company Laurence Sifuna are already among the Mourners.

After hours of consultation the family members decided that the mass for the burial was to be done by the Catholic Church denying a chance the famous Dini Ya Musambwa. The week saw several leaders visiting his home to send messages of condolences to the family members terming him as a true legend.

Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi cautioned other leaders from western Kenya against being used to the advantage of other tribes as a platform to ride their way to leadership. He however, called upon the leaders and residents who will attend the burial ceremony of late the Manguliech to conduct them in a peaceful manner as a way of paying tribute to the fallen hero.

 ''You should show respect to Manguliech by ensuring his funeral service is conducted well and as a way of celebrating his life, I have arrived here to show that another Manguliech will be born to Kenyans,'' said Mudavadi.

He divulged this in a Bukusu proverb that says 'Tondo wafwa Tondo wakobola' meaning 'when one dies another one is born'. 

Some of the Bungoma County politicians at the burial ceremony, Trade Minister Moses Wetangula, Kimilili Mp Dr. Eseli Simiyu, Lands minister who is also the Bumula Mp Bifwoli Wakoli and nominated Mp Musikari Kombo.

Also visiting the late Manguliech’s home nominated Member of Parliament Musikari Kombo said the community has lost a dependable preacher (omukambisi) whose deeds will be remembered all over the country especially on the good advice to politicians.

He further said that Manguliech had curved a niche for himself in the community and his services as a traditional Bukusu preacher will be dearly be missed by the community as well as his cultural upholds during burial ceremonies.

“We as Luhyia community need to be united to show the best tribute to the late Wanyonyi Manguliech having been one of the great people this land has ever produced,” said Kombo.

Manguliech’s body was taken to his home at Miruri village Thursday.

In Kimilili town, residents stood along the shops verandas as well as along the street whispering among themselves with some especially from different ethnic backgrounds vowing to attend the funeral just to have a firsthand experience of the Bukusu traditional funeral.

The convoy first stop over was at the St. Emmanuel Miruri Catholic Church for a brief church service before it proceeded to his home about a kilometer away.

The mood at the late Manguliechi's home was somber with relatives, neighbors, friends and other members of the public queued up to view the body.

Mzee Manguliech’s family comprises of 22 children, 10 sons and 12 daughters, 80 grandchildren and 140 great grand children.