Glowing tributes paid to city lawyer Evans Monari at burial service in Nyamira

The 58-year-old lawyer, who had penned his own eulogy, was described by family and friends as a generous man who looked out for everybody’s best interests.

The funeral was attended by a host of leaders, with Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi calling on the president to reverse the curfew order, which he said is being used to fleece innocent Kenyans.

Friends of the prominent city lawyer came from far and wide to Nyakongo village to pay their last respects; Monari, who passed on two weeks ago after a long illness, earned praise for his generosity and kindness and his keen interest in lending a helping hand to others.

"When I came to Nairobi, and I was a little village boy, he guided me around; he held my hand professionally and socially, and ultimately, Evans was to be my best man at my wedding,” said Solicitor General Ken Ogeto.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i, on his part, said: “Evans was the closest I knew to utopia, he lived in a world of his own and he was a free spirit that has left a very huge legacy that we need to follow.”

Monari had earned accolades in the legal field having handled high profile cases, including being part of the defense teams of President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Police Commissioner Mohammed Ali at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“Alikuwa mtu aliyependa watu, na mtu wa vichekesho vingi zaidi…angekuwa hapa leo tungekuwa sote tunacheka…alipenda sana kupeana historia ya Kisii, alijivunia sana desturi na mila za Kikisii,” said former Attorney General Githu Muigai.

ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, who was present at the ceremony, called on President Kenyatta to revoke the curfew order, which he claimed was being used to exploit Kenyans.

“Utapata watu wanashikwa saa zigine wametoka kazini, saa zingine wamepata mambo ngumu, alafu wanafinywa pale…kwa hivyo waziri Fred Matiangi tafadhali zungumza na mkubwa wa taifa Uhuru Kenyatta kuwa kafyu tu…hata tukizingatia masharti mengine ya COVID lakini kafyu (iondolewe),” said Mudavadi.

Monari is succeeded by a wife, four children and one grandchild.