Thousands of mourners streamed to Naitiri to the home of the late senior chief Karani to pay their last respects to his son, the late Solomon Kakai Karani who was a renowned author and was a vital figure in the country’s education sector.
Eulogising her husband, his wife Agatha Karani said she had lost a companion, a father of her children, a soul mate, a prayer and business partner who supported her all the time. She said her late husband Solomon Karani patiently and cautiously protected and guided their marriage and listened pensively to her inner secrets, coupled with being a father figure, “My husband loved everyone unconditionally, including my extended family members unconditionally and welcomed everyone to our house,” added Agatha.
Her sentiments were echoed by her four sons led by Brian who said that their father was a great man whose space no other man can fill, adding that they are yet to come to terms with the reality of his demise.
While addressing thousands of mourners, West Media Director Cyprian Wekesa said he had lost a friend, citing that their relationship dates back to their high school days in Friends School Kamusinga.
“Solomon was a great man. I trace our friendship back to high school. Since then we maintained our friendship up to date. I have been part of this family and I want to tell you today that Solomon was a very kind man and he would always support anyone in time of need,” said Mr. Wekesa.
Wekesa added that the late Solomon believed in hard work, adding that his networking was excellent. On his part, Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka eulogized Solomon as a great academician whose great work saw him rise in different ranks and subsequently delivered results.
Lusaka remembered the old days back at Chesamisi, “I have lost a friend whom I’ve known for a very long time and I remember at one time our literature teacher chased Solomon from the class for arguing in the local language that the teacher was cheating. Even when he was out of the class, he insisted that the teacher wasn’t accurate with the concept she was delivering,” said Lusaka.
Lusaka remembered the old days back at Chesamisi, “I have lost a friend whom I’ve known for a very long time and I remember at one time our literature teacher chased Solomon from the class for arguing in the local language that the teacher was cheating. Even when he was out of the class, he insisted that the teacher wasn’t accurate with the concept she was delivering,” said Lusaka. Governor Lusaka also took the opportunity to outline the development his government has done since it came into power and said there
Governor Lusaka also took the opportunity to outline the development his government has done since it came into power and said there is tremendous development.
Lusaka insisted that the road from Brigadier to Misikhu will be tarmacked and argued that those who are doubting will be surprised “We have made a lot of development in Bungoma County and am sure it’s not the way we found it, even though some people can’t see that fact,” Lusaka said.
He alleged that the Tongaren Member of Parliament hates him because they support different parties, and not because he hasn’t delivered “Tongaren MP
He alleged that the Tongaren Member of Parliament hates him because they support different parties, and not because he hasn’t delivered “Tongaren MP Mr. Eseli Simiyu hates me because I support Jubilee and he supports CORD, nothing else. If you can see there are numerous projects we have achieved as Bungoma county due to our association with the national government, the Kibabii charter is one of them and some roads have been marked for tarmacking,” added Lusaka.
He called on Dr. Eseli, who was present, to support his development for the sake of the residents who have given them an opportunity to serve “I want to appeal to my brother Eseli to support me in development because at the end of the day our people will not eat parties but they need development. I mean good roads, schools and other progressive projects that will change their lives for better,” insisted Lusaka.
UNCTAD
UNCTAD Secretary General Mukhisa Kituyi, who was also in attendance, questioned the seriousness of leaders from Western region who claim to be vying for the presidential seat. “As the political winds pick up, I don’t see any serious candidate for the top seat in Western, all of them are jokers and brokers, because if you can’t tell your people to register as voters then you have no business wasting people’s time. I want to tell my people not to take them seriously because all of them are jokers,” said Kituyi.
Kituyi also said that he is amazed by the way corruption has taken root in Kenya, to a point where some view it as legal, adding that it has destroyed the country’s good reputation.
Other leaders who spoke include Bungoma women representative aspirant Catherine Wambilianga, who asked for tolerance as Kenya plunges into a political mood. She asked the residents of Bungoma to support her candidature as she will work with everyone especially women so that they can be self-reliable.
The late Solomon Kakai Karani worked with the Jomo Kenyatta foundation for eight years as an assistant publishing manager and rose through many ranks. He later joined Longman Kenya limited as the publishing manager and in 2004 was appointed the general manager as a result of his diligence and hard work. He held the position for ten years until he left the organization.
He founded the Book Africa Limited way back in 2013 where he has acted as managing director until his death.
Solomon also commissioned and witnessed the completion of over a hundred projects, and actively took part in national and community affairs where he was a member of National Kiswahili Association (CHAKITA) and the Information Society of Kenya. He was also a council member for Kenya Publishers Association and served as a board member in his home school, Naitiri High school, Legal Resources Foundation (LRF) and Kenya Community Centre for Learning (KCCL) where he served as the board chairman until his demise.
Solomon died of cancer-related complications and has left behind one widow Agatha Nangila Karani and four sons Brian, Francis, Richard and Erastus. He will be missed by Naitiri residents for his love and contribution to the education sector.