The late Mzee Ephraim Chiuli Wanyama was laid to rest at his home in Lugulu village, Chetambe location in Bungoma East District on Saturday as leaders from different cadres gracing the burial ceremony.

The Forestry and Wildlife Minister Dr. Noah Wekesa urged residents Bungoma County residents to maintain peace and coexistence before and after the fourth coming general elections.

The Minister was addressing mourners at Lugulu Mixed primary school where he insisted that it is the prerogative of every individual to foster peace and coexistence in a move to ensure the 2007/08 post election skirmishes as a result of unprecedented presidential doesn’t occur next year during the pools.

The area MP Alfred Sambu said residents the County have a chance to elect leaders they want in the coming general elections.

The Mp told mourners that the residents should elect leaders basing on their development track record and those who are free from corruption to move the county to another level of development.

“We should rise above political party affiliations and elect leaders in regard to their leadership ability and their agenda to the electorate, political parties are mere vehicles to ascend to power,” Samba warned.

On his part the nominated Mp Musikari Kombo insisted on the need for unity in the County ahead of the polls.

Kombo asserted that without unity amongst the major tribes residing in the county- Bukusu, Sabaoti, Tachoni and Batura- there is a possibility of having leadership wrangles which could undermine development in the region.

Mzee Ephraim Chiuli Wanyama was born in 1939 during the Second World War and retired in 1994 having served in the public service for 33 years.

He was the only surviving child of the late Mzee Peter Wanyama upon the demise of his three brothers and three sisters in different years.

Mzee Ephraim Chiuli joined the Government Printing Press as a store man and due to his brilliance and smartness he was sponsored by the government to study printing technology in Leicester University in the United Kingdom.

He then rose to a rank of Senior Superintendent and retired in the year 1994 having served in the civil service with diligence and dedication for years.

The late was eulogized as a steadfast country man and it is on record that due to his shrewdness and articulate skills he was the first African to print color-work on Letterpress Machine.