The Law Society of Kenya has written to the Attorney-General (AG) Kihara Kariuki requesting a state funeral for the departed constitutional law stalwart Nzamba Kitonga.
LSK President Nelson Havi said that Senior Counsel Kitonga left an indelible mark on the legal profession in Kenya, having been the chair of the Committee of Experts who draft the 2010 Kenya Constitution.
"I have received requests from members of the Law Society of Kenya to plead with you to confer with the President of the Republic of Kenya on the possibility of honouring Nzamba Kitonga SC with a state funeral," said Havi.
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Kitonga passed away on Saturday, October 24, aged 64 years. He died while being rushed to the hospital after collapsing while attending a funeral at his home area of Mutito in Kitui East Constituency.
Following his death, President Uhuru Kenyatta led Kenyans in mourning the lawyer, describing him as a constitutional law stalwart and patriotic Kenyan with unmatched legal prowess.
"I am deeply saddened by the death of my friend Senior Counsel Nzamba Kitonga, a fine constitutional lawyer and a trailblazer whose successes in public service are finely documented. We all remember and are forever indebted to Nzamba and his Committee of Experts for midwifing the 2010 constitution and for his many exploits as a lawyer of high standing," Kenyatta said.
The President called his death a major blow to the country, especially now that the country is gearing up for constitutional reforms through the ongoing Building Bridges Initiative.
Besides requesting a state funeral for Kitonga, the LSK has planned three events towards his sendoff.
The first being a hearing to be conducted at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, November 4, from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm.
LSK will then hold a service at the Holy Family Basilica, Nairobi the next day on Thursday from 10 am to 11.30 am.
Finally, the burial will be held at Kitonga's rural home in Kitui on Saturday, November 7.
LSK has requested AG Kariuki to attend the Wednesday hearing at the Supreme Court in his capacity as the titular head of the Bar.
Besides chairing the Committee of Experts that gave Kenya their second constitution, Kitonga also served as chairman of LSK from 1997 to 1999, President of the East African Law Society, President of the COMESA Court and Member of Parliament.
