Today, former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga is laying his father Mzee Stephen Kamunya Njoroge to rest in a ceremony that feels as much like a major security operation as it does a funeral.
Mzee Njoroge who lived to the incredible age of 101 passed away earlier this month following a short illness.
While the day is dedicated to honoring a man who saw more than a century of history, the atmosphere on the ground is heavy with a palpable sense of tension.
The most striking sight at the burial right now is the massive security detail surrounding Maina Njenga.
Dozens of bodyguards, dressed in sharp, uniform black suits and dark sunglasses, have formed a tight human shield around him.
They are moving in sync with his every step, creating a stern perimeter that separates the former leader from the crowds of mourners and onlookers.
The presence of these well-built men stands in sharp contrast to the rural setting. Their professional, intimidating stance is a constant reminder of the complex and often controversial space Njenga occupies in the country.
For those watching the procession, the scale of this private security force is a clear signal of the perceived risks and the influence he still carries.
Despite the intense security presence, the core of the event remains a tribute to a centenarian.
Mzee Stephen Kamunya is being remembered by those present as a pillar of his community—a man whose life spanned the colonial era to the modern day.
As the service proceeds under the Laikipia sun, a mix of local residents and political figures are gathered to pay their final respects.
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