Hasu Patel: Billionaire funeral like no other...

For the shilling-billionaire he was, many would have expected that money, fame and opulence would accompany Industrialist and Philanthropist Hasmukh Patel to the grave.

Far from it, the final journey of the tycoon who owned one of Kenya’s biggest business empires, including Mombasa Cement Limited, was anything but extravagant— just like the simple life he led.

But just like he wowed many with his simplicity in life, Patel’s modest send-off on Sunday brought Mombasa city centre to a standstill as his body was paraded in a funeral procession.

Residents were treated to an uncommon encounter when the remains of the business mogul, who died aged 58 following a short illness last Thursday, was sat on a decorated seat that was placed on a truck that made several stopovers in the city as part of the final rites.

The body was first removed from the Pandya Hospital mortuary at around 9am before proceeding to different stopovers, including temples where flowers were thrown at him as a sign of respect.

A close relative said the late Patel, who was popularly known as ‘Hasu’ or simply ‘Mombasa Cement’, wanted to be laid to rest as humbly as he lived with those he supported walking beside him.

He explained that the rituals witnessed were meant to portray his status in the society.

"This kind of burial has never happened in Kenya but in India it's very common,” said Naran Mepani, a religious leader of the Shree Swaminariyan Temple. 

“The late was just not a nobody, he was like a King... that's why they are throwing flowers at him at different temples. It's a sign of respect. We have lost a King".

On the hearse, Mepani was seen with a white handkerchief wiping the face of the deceased time after time.

"We always ensure corpses of big people in our community sit in a decorated hearse and make a procession because they are kings. For instance, a priest, those who wear the orange clothes. This is for extraordinary people in our community, to signify their levels," said the religious leader who also referred to himself as the late Patel's right hand man.

"He was a king to the people, whom we call Raja in our Swaminarayan community. We are giving him his last respects as a king because he was a man of the people," he added.

The hearse carrying Patel’s remains was boarded by 18 passengers who were his immediate family members.

Hundreds of persons living with disabilities, whom the late supported through his charity work, used their wheelchairs as part of his final convoy.

Crowds of people who had gathered along the streets and others who waited at the temples watched the body tearfully as some chanted prayerfully.

Mr Mepani, who is also the chairman of the temple, said the hearse had to be decorated with flowers to show how Patel was loved.

At the Shree Cutchi Leva Patel Samaj Community Hall in Nyali, the religious leaders announced three days of mourning for their leader.

The late Patel was taken to his house in Nyali, a humble abode where his close family members and staff bid him farewell.

Unlike other billionaires’ houses in the country, his house was a simple one— not signifying any opulence.

At the home, his peacocks, probably feeling a gap left behind, could be heard squawking loudly as a somber mood engulfed the residence.

He was given the last respect at Shree Cutchi Leva Patel Samaj, Nyali, Mombasa County. His body was later cremated at Hindu Crematorium in Bakistan. 

Politicians, investors and other dignitaries from both Kenya and Uganda, where the tycoon had business interests, paid their glowing tributes.

The Mombasa Cement boss was hailed as a man of the people who had left a lasting legacy.

The leaders urged the family to appropriately fill the shoes of their departed kin who strived to help the lowly in the society and continue with his legacy projects.

In a speech, read on his behalf by Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, President William Ruto said he was deeply saddened to learn of the death of the visionary entrepreneur and respected philanthropist who transformed lives of many people.

"His tireless efforts to serve the needy particularly in education and healthcare sectors served the underprivileged. He constructed schools, hospitals and places of worship," said President Ruto.

President Ruto said Mr Patel created millions of jobs in different sectors especially in manufacturing.  He urged Kenyans to emulate the successful businessman.

On his part, Mr Joho said he had known the philanthropist for many years.

He revealed how when he first went to the industrialist to seek help to transform the Kibarani dumpsite, he turned him away.

"But I persisted, I never gave up, we later became friends. He used Sh1 billion to transform the former dumpsite into a recreational facility. But he never boasted that he had done this or that. I admire his positive impacts," said Mr Joho.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka urged Kenyan politicians to emulate the late Patel. He criticised politicians for chest thumping whenever they help the underprivileged.

"The Bible says when you give may your left hand never know what the right hand has given. Let's be humble and serve the people," said Mr Musyoka.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said his administration will rename a county road and an ECDE school in his memory.

He urged the family to stay strong and united.

Other leaders who attended the funeral are Kilifi North MP Owen Baya, Kisauni MP Rashid Bedzimba, Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki, East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Hassan Omar, Speaker of the Mombasa County Assembly Aharub Khatri and Kilifi Deputy Governor Flora Chibule.

Read: Mombasa Cement owner Hasmukh Patel dies at 58

Retired Anglican Bishop Julius Kalu said the late Patel was a great man who served the people.

He said knew the man 10 years ago when he had squabbles with the then Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi.

"I became their arbitrator, and thus we became close friends, he used to help build our churches, educate orphans, help the widows, the sick and even the government. He was a man of the people that is why I had to come and pay my last respects. His death is a big blow to the poor,"  he added.

The religious leader urged the wealthy in the society to help those who are poor.

His body was cremated later in the evening at the Hindu Crematorium along Sheikh Abdalla Farsi road.

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