The late former National Assembly clerk Justin Bundi who died after a brave fight against cancer was not given a decent sendoff that he deserved.
Having worked in parliamentary service for more than 20 years, we all expected at least tens of MPs to attend the ceremony but surprisingly only Patrick Munene (Chuka Igambang’ombe), Dr Naomi Shaban (Taveta) and Beatrice Nkatha (Tharaka Nithi Women Rep) showed up.
Tharaka Nithi Senator and the Senate Deputy Speaker Kithure Kindiki and Governor Muthomi Njuki were in attendance.
Unexpectedly also, Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki and his Tharaka counterpart Gitonga Murugara never sent a tribute or apology and were not mentioned during the ceremony at Chuka Boys High School though The Press Point did not manage to confirm whether they were in the country or not.
One MP attends
Having also worked as an assistant to former Speaker Francis Ole Kaparo and serving hundreds of MPs during his 23 years in parliamentary service, it was unfortunate that only one (Dr Shaban) attended the burial.
Apart from clerks of the two Houses: National Assembly (Michael Sialai), Senate (Jeremiah Nyegenye) and some staff who joined the mourners, many of the attendants of the sendoff ceremony were just local residents.
The late civil servant served as the Clerk of the National Assembly for six years and retired in March 2017.
Initially, there were rumours that Deputy President Dr William Ruto would attend the ceremony but did not turn up.
The National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi was represented by Dr Shaban, the Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).
I cannot recall a mention of the late’s extended family (brothers and sisters)- please pardon me for forgetting but I personally did not spot any at the Chuka Boys grounds’ ceremony.
The above piece is a personal opinion and the thoughts expressed herein do not belong to The Press Point.
